Nerdy Bird

Written by Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by Matt Davies
Published in 2015

Why we chose this book:
This is up against Mr. Tiger Goes Wild  in the 2018 March Book Madness.

Mom's Review

A talking bird tries to find friendship.

I can appreciate that the intended message of this book is to not be swayed by peer pressure, but I did not enjoy the book because of its other implications. A small bird who wears glasses, likes video games, and has allergies tries to befriend the "cool" birds like the bald eagle and the cardinal. This works out as the reader might expect, but he is invited to join other "nerdy birds" with his same qualities. When he in turn invites a vulture to join the "nerdy birds," they reject her. Ultimately, the first nerdy bird befriends the vulture and is no longer swayed by his peers.

The implications that ruined this book for me are the portrayal of reading as abnormal and the portrayal of those with impaired vision or those with allergies as abnormal and nerdy. The cool birds are too cool to read. And food allergies preclude the nerdy bird from interacting with other birds. I don't think that these are ideas or stereotypes or messages that we need to be passing along. There are enough other books out there to help children be true to themselves that I'd advise skipping this one.

Son's Review
(age 3 years)
While reading:
Son, pointing to bald eagle: He wouldn't fit at the bird feeder! He's too big.

Mom: How do you think that the nerdy bird felt about being left behind?

Son: Sad.

Mom: How are those other nerdy birds treating the vulture? What about our nerdy bird?

Son: Mean....friendly.

Mom: How do you think the vulture feels?

Son: Sad...happy that he's being friendly.

Mom: What do you think about this?

Son: I think he should be friendly.