The Language of Birds

 

Disclosure: I was sent an ARC of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I will admit that the title of today's book intrigued me. After all anyone who has been following Crafty Moms Share knows I have a thing for birds. This book is not really a book about rather connections for a young bird lover with social anxiety. The book is The Language of Birds by Jon-Erik Lappano and illustrated by Zach Manbeck. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

About the Book:

A moving picture book about an anxious girl who can talk to birds but finds it hard to talk to people. When a new boy at school connects with trees the way she does with birds, they begin to form a friendship.

Mira speaks to the birds. As a baby, she napped in the park where starlings gathered. Before she was two, she could mimic the sounds of the doves. Birds have always made sense to Mira, unlike people who are much more confusing. When Mira tries to talk to them, her words remain out of reach. Mostly, people leave her alone.

But when a new boy named Jad comes to school, Mira notices that he understands trees the way she does birds. He's different. And as they draw together, Mira is able, at last, to make a friend.

Here is a beautiful, layered picture book that speaks to the need for connection and the many forms it can take.

From Me:

Many kids have social anxiety. They often find something that interests them and escapes into that topic. This is how it is for Mira with birds. She loves birds! She loves watching them and feels she truly can communicate with them. However, she struggles to communicate with her peers. At recess she hangs out under the tree watching the birds. The other kids play together. Then a new boy, Jad, arrives at the school. Mira notices he doesn't really talk either, and he spends recess drawing trees with chalk. She wants to talk to him, but the words don't come so she draws a bird in his tree. He loves it and the two find a way to connect with their drawings and things that matter to them.

As someone who works with kids who are different in so many ways, this book resonates with me. It shares a life for kids who have anxiety over communicating and being with peers. There are many kids like this, and each is different and special. It is important for them to realize they are not the only ones like them. It is important for everyone to realize that there are different ways to communicate other than talking. This book shares the importance of finding ways to communicate with people who struggle to talk. Anxiety is very real. Everyone feels anxious at some point but for some it is always with them, and this book is for them. It is one that I see as important for kids to hear whether they struggle with anxiety or may interact or try to interact with others with anxiety. I can see this book being shared in classrooms and talking about the different ways to communicate and connect. It is also a wonderful gift for any child but especially for anxious ones who may see themselves in Mira and Jad.