mat_tobin's review against another edition
4.0
I did some reading around the book and found that, apparently, it took Wise Brown's death and a significant time to pass between it first being written before The Dead Bird was published (from 1938-1958 to be extact). A very different book to the far more commercially successful, [b:Goodnight Moon|32929|Goodnight Moon|Margaret Wise Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1439223893s/32929.jpg|1086867] The Dead Bird tells the story of four children in the park finding the body of a small bird and choosing to bury it.
Originally illustrated by [a:Remy Charlip|27552|Remy Charlip|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1311577404p2/27552.jpg] (whose version also looks excellent), this version has been reimagined by Christian Robinson whose basic and simple style, I feel, support the surface simplicity of the story. The characters are far more diverse in ethnicity and the positioning throughout of the reader's view is interesting and reflective. What Robinson brings to the story is a sense that the event really happened to children in a real place and I think this brings the story closer to the younger reader.
I'm so glad that Wise Brown's story has been reprinted. I remember well coming across a dead animal for the first time and feeling the same, curious feelings that the characters in this book do too. They are gentle and thoughtful in their reflection and their actions after show a sensitivity and innocent playfulness which captures the mind of a young child far so well.
Originally illustrated by [a:Remy Charlip|27552|Remy Charlip|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1311577404p2/27552.jpg] (whose version also looks excellent), this version has been reimagined by Christian Robinson whose basic and simple style, I feel, support the surface simplicity of the story. The characters are far more diverse in ethnicity and the positioning throughout of the reader's view is interesting and reflective. What Robinson brings to the story is a sense that the event really happened to children in a real place and I think this brings the story closer to the younger reader.
I'm so glad that Wise Brown's story has been reprinted. I remember well coming across a dead animal for the first time and feeling the same, curious feelings that the characters in this book do too. They are gentle and thoughtful in their reflection and their actions after show a sensitivity and innocent playfulness which captures the mind of a young child far so well.
erinsbookshelves's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
missprint_'s review against another edition
3.0
I want to do a creepy story time with this book, The Tailypo, Louis King of the Sheep, etc.
Also have concluded that Margaret Wise Brown books are basically what being on drugs must be like.
Also have concluded that Margaret Wise Brown books are basically what being on drugs must be like.
maggior's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kellyjcm's review against another edition
4.0
This generated some excellent conversations with my grade 6 students. In one class we contrasted it with Duck, Death and the Tulip. I like the illustrations in this new edition.
fongolia's review against another edition
4.0
Reminds me when I was a child we buried our dead pet budgie (RIP Reese) in the backyard in a Purdy's box. A later dead budgie (RIP Reese 2) was buried under a newly planted apple tree in the front yard. At some point we stopped getting new budgies altogether.
pwbalto's review against another edition
5.0
From "The bird was dead when they found it," to "They put flowers on its grave every day until they forgot," this book totally rules the Picture Books About Death That Don't Use Stupid Euphemisms or Talk About God category. The new illustrations by Christian Robinson inject a little bounce into the calm text.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
2.0
So... I guess this would work as a "let's talk about death, kids!" sort of book. The art is good, but the story felt kind of... off to me. I did enjoy the book more when I imagined it being a bedtime story or one of those "read it again!" sorts of books and wondering what sort of person that child would turn out to be. So there's that.