Nerdy Birdy

by Aaron Reynolds, Matt Davies (Illustrator)

Overview

Nerdy Birdy likes reading, video games, and reading about video games, which immediately disqualifies him for membership in the cool crowd.

One thing is clear: being a nerdy birdy is a lonely lifestyle.

When he's at his lowest point, Nerdy Birdy meets a flock just like him. He has friends and discovers that there are far more nerdy birdies than cool birdies in the sky.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626721272
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	09/22/2015
Series:	Nerdy Birdy Series
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Aaron Reynolds is the author of several picture books. After graduating with a degree in theater from Illinois Wesleyan University, he held many interesting and exciting jobs, including actor, businessman, waiter, dancer, carpenter, and chef, before becoming a writer. He's never been a farmer or a rooster, but he's thinking of trying one of those next. He lives near Chicago, where his wife and two kids keep life spicy.

Born in London, England, Matt Davies moved to the U.S. in 1983. He was the recipient of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartoons, the inaugural 2004 Herblock Prize and the 2001 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award. He and his wife, Lucy, live in Wilton, Connecticut, with their three children. Ben Rides On is his first book for young readers.

Editorial Reviews

Davies' nicely frayed lines and ink-and-watercolor cartoon illustrations create a perfect hybrid of bird and, well, nerd. Reynolds' gently ironic tone will appeal to elementary-age readers who face similar friendship conundrums-and who might draw confidence from Nerdy Birdy. Very funny and full of hope-and feathers.” —Kirkus, starred review

From the Publisher

★ 2015-06-06
A small, bespectacled bird struggles with friendship. Nerdy Birdy, with his too-small wings, is unlike the cool birds. They have impressive attributes: "abs of steel" for Eagle, "glossy red attire" for Cardinal, and "worm-fed physique" for Robin. Nerdy Birdy, allergic to birdseed, wears glasses that are too big. He likes reading and video games (he's especially devoted to World of Wormcraft). He's not cool, and it's "awfully lonely not being a cool birdy." So he's delighted to discover other nerdy birds: "Their glasses were too big. Their wings were too small. At least half of them had inhalers." And there are "way more nerdy birdies than cool birdies." Now he has friends. The story could have ended there, but instead it ever so sweetly takes flight. A large vulture moves into the neighborhood. While the cool birds find her unacceptable, Nerdy Birdy has confidence in his friends: "Being cool is exhausting. You should hang around with us," he tells her. Though that's not exactly what happens, clearly Nerdy Birdy understands the heart of friendship. Davies' nicely frayed lines and ink-and-watercolor cartoon illustrations create a perfect hybrid of bird and, well, nerd. Reynolds' gently ironic tone will appeal to elementary-age readers who face similar friendship conundrums—and who might draw confidence from Nerdy Birdy. Very funny and full of hope—and feathers. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews