Songbird

I love the positive message this story sends. Kids reading this will be inspired to follow their dreams, even when others discourage them. This is such a relevant message for any kid of elementary ages. Songbird would make an excellent mentor text for teachers to incorporate in teaching theme, plot, and even as a social emotional learning piece. It is so important especially in today's young minds to encourage children to ignore peer pressure and judgement that surrounds us and focus on what they love and what makes them happy. I will definitely be purchasing a copy of this book for my classroom and recommending it to teachers in my district.

I feel like I just watched a short Pixar animation.

Those hair curlers on Mama Sparrow! Save me from all the art brilliance!

This is such a heartwarming, wholesome storybook. It is almost like a short, well-done graphic novel. The artstyle is exceptional. This book is almost a classic.

The story is told from the view of a mother sparrow witnessing a gathering at Central Park with people enjoying a day of picnic and an orchestra!

Quite playful and charming, this little story tells kids about dreams but to be practical about it.

Well, it's the dream that matters more in the end.

Thank you, authors and publisher, for the advance reading copy.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

“Songbird” by Jenn Larson is a wonderfully illustrated children’s book focusing on a little sparrow that has big dreams. This is one of my favourite children’s books that I have read this year. The beautiful art paired with such an inspirational storyline touched my soul, especially since I have a passion for music and conducting. The central message of the story is clear; if you can dream it, you can achieve it. I highly recommend this book for all children to enjoy with the help of a parent or older reader.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book on NetGalley and have provided an honest review.*

Ooh, my heart is a pile of mush right now! This book is so adorable!

Sydney the Sparrow wants to be a music conductor. But her family, friends, and teachers try to redirect her dreams towards more conventional career paths such as nest building and seed gathering. Sydney gets disheartened and wonders if her dream is indeed too farfetched. But with some determination and planning, Sydney finds herself where no one else expected.

Sydney stole my heart. I loved her bravery in listening to what her heart desired rather than allowing others to change her thinking. She was amazing. And as a music lover (and a part-time conductor myself), I relished the thought of a little sparrow conducting Bach and Beethoven. What a wondrous sight that would be! The message from the story comes out very clearly: believe in your dreams. Talent will definitely take you places but hard work and determination are a must too.

With this beautiful story, the book would have easily received 5 stars from me. But isn’t it marvellous when the illustrations match and even surpass the story? I loved, loved, loved the sketches. They are so impressive and detailed, right down to the rich hues of nature and the facial expressions of the birds. The vividity of the illustrations makes the book sparkle brighter. I have no doubt they would be even more marvellous in the physical copy.

This would be the perfect addition to every little reader’s personal library.


Thank you, NetGalley and IBPA, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕

I found this gorgeous picture book incredibly endearing. (It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I teared up at the end of it, so touched was I by the messaging and so deeply did it resonate with me).

From the very first notes, drifting across the park to her little feathered ears, Little Sydney Sparrow has fallen in love, wildly, with orchestral music and is now a bird with a dream - a huge dream - something no other songbird has ever dreamed and could ever hope to accomplish.

Sydney wants to be the heart of that music - to feel it ebb and flow in her rhythm and at her direction - she wants to become a music conductor.

With the wide-eyed innocence of the very young, where everything is still an un-tapped possibility, Sydney shares her dream with her family - eagerly, excitedly - and its no surprise to the reader that her parents are curtly dismissive.

Disappointed, but still undaunted, Sydney tries to engage others with her dream, including her teacher at school, and the message comes back loud and clear - her dream is outlandish and no-one in her circle is willing to support her.

I won’t tell you everything about how the story ends - you just have to read it - but it’s enough to say that this book totally captured my heart.

This tiny bird with a great big audacious dream, and the determination to just go for it, is truly delightful. And what a wonderful role model for any child, particularly those who have not yet felt the inevitable push to rein in their own starry dreams and settle, like everyone else, for what the world considers to be “acceptable” or “normal”.

And the artwork! The absolutely gorgeous artwork featured on every page of this book - starting with the brilliant and smudgy-soft bird nestled in red and gold leaves on the cover - every frame on every page is literally spectacular.

This is a book I will need to own - with no young children currently in my life - I do believe my inner child wants (and deserves!) this one all for itself.

A great big thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, the author (and the artist), for an advance review copy of this sublime children’s book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts presented are my bow.