Emmi Bluebird is a little chick who was born with a disability. One of her wings is shorter than the other. While this makes doing some things harder, Emmi never lets it get her down or stop her from having fun like all the other kids. She lives in a birch tree with her parents and brothers, who love her very much and encourage her to keep trying, even on days when it all seems too much. Emmi knows that things will get better, and that even though she’s different, she’s still beautiful and special, and can make her dreams come true.
LITTLE BLUEBIRD, written by Erin Murphy Welch is a really sweet story told in rhyme. The book is beautifully illustrated by Mykyta Harets, whose use of color and light feel almost magical and bring the pages to life. The message this book presents is an important one–for kids and well as adults–and will help those who are born with differences to see themselves in a more positive light. It will also help teach children that there is nothing wrong with being different.
On the downside, LITTLE BLUEBIRD is a very short book and there is there isn’t much text. Murphy Welch could have added a little more to the story, perhaps some more definite examples of the things Emmi does despite her handicap. The book also needs a good editing. The sentence structure isn’t right in some places, some of the rhymes feel forced and at times the grammar suffers. The story might be stronger if it was told in prose rather than in rhyme, which would be less limiting, in terms of storytelling and easier to convey the main ideas. Emmi’s lesson would be more direct and straightforward, which for kids is an important thing, especially very young children who are the book’s target audience.
LITTLE BLUEBIRD, written by Erin Murphy Welch and beautifully illustrated by Mykyta Harets, is an adorable tale with an important and inspiring message.
~Heather Stockard for IndieReader