While it doesn't really get better than P.D. Eastman's Are You My Mother?, Nancy Tafuri's newest picture book of a newly hatched bird is a cute addition to the field. What do I love about this book? I love the illustrations; they're beautiful. Really outstanding. The colors are subdued and soothing. (Nothing bright and cartoony going on here. This book is all about nature.) The text is simple and straightforward. There are only a few words per page, and the font is large. (I can't speak for everyone, but there is something so inviting about a picture book that is not afraid of being labeled 'too simple.') The book opens with the rising of the sun, the various birds in the area are waking up and exploring...and they each discover--on their own--a nest with an egg on the verge of hatching. Instead of a new baby bird seeking its mother, these are just curious birds anxious to find the right mama for this soon-to-be born chick. But the mother hasn't abandoned her nest, she is nearby and waiting to claim her young one. As I mentioned, the text is simple, and the message is a reassuring one about families, love, and belonging. Overall, a cute story.
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