4 out of 4 stars
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Be Happy to Be You is a children’s picture book written by Diane Hull and illustrated by Jan Dolby. The story explores a baby bird’s feelings about his limitations. The young bird is envious of other animals that have specific abilities he doesn’t possess. For example, fish can swim, horses can run, and frogs can jump. Although his mother points out the wonderful things birds can do, the bird is still upset about his shortcomings. When he catches a cold, will the baby bird realize how much he takes for granted in his life?
I enjoyed this entertaining story which contains a valuable lesson - be happy with who you are. With the simple refrain, “be happy to be you,” the book effectively communicates that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. The storyline is easy to follow with clear examples of what different animals can do.
The book would be a perfect fit for children who are learning to read. There are only one or two sentences on each page and the vocabulary is fairly basic. Each page contains a full-length picture which matches the action described in the text. The vibrant, brightly colored illustrations almost leap off the page and bring this interesting story to life. I particularly liked the characters’ over-exaggerated facial expressions as they add a humorous feel to the book. The only exception is the way the horses are depicted. They are shown running in the distance and are very small with no recognizable facial features.
My main issue with the story is that the main character has no name. I think children can relate better to a character that has a proper name, rather than being referred to as “the baby bird.” Having no name gives an impersonal feel to the main character. Also, the only clue to the bird’s gender is the use of the he pronoun. When I began writing this review, I had to reread the beginning in order to see the word “he” was used when referencing the baby bird.
I am pleased to report there are no grammatical or spelling errors, as it is not too common for indie books to be professionally edited. The plot has a smooth flow with an identifiable problem and clear resolution. This format is useful in children’s books so kids can be shown there are ways to deal with issues that may arise.
I give this book the highest rating, 4 out of 4 stars. It is a fun read which teaches a universal lesson. Although I would have preferred the main character to have a proper name, I still loved the story. I would recommend it to children ages 3-8 due to the easy-to-understand plot and simple word choices. It is a perfect read-aloud choice for parents and teachers, while beginning readers can enjoy the book independently.
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Be Happy To Be You
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