Little Home Bird

by Jo Empson

Little Bird loves everything about his home. He's surrounded by his favorite branch, his favorite food, his favorite view and his favorite music. Why on earth would he want to change anything, even when his brother tells him that they must?

Discover how Little Bird ends up finding happiness in his new home from home in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Perfect for all children who love home, however many they may have. [Dustjacket]

Genres: Picture Books, Birds, Animals, Nature, Childrens, Storytime, Autumn

36 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2016

Reviews

[Yvonne O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know why I like this simple migration meets hoarder book so much, but I do!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in the United Kingdom, this picture book features artwork that pleases the senses and contains interesting colors and shapes and often objects that readers won't expect. The story itself is relatable to many youngsters who have had to move or who live in more than one place, spending the weekend with one parent or caregiver and the school days with another, for instance. Little Bird loves everything about his home, and when it's time for the birds to migrate, he gathers his favorite things and brings them along with him. Eventually, though, he has to let go of them, one by one, because he simply can't keep up with the rest of the flock. The images of the animals to whom he releases his favorite things will bring a smile to the face of many readers, especially that porcupine. Upon settling in his new home, he fills his nest with more favorite things, including a rare bird or two, and is happy to have more than one place to call home. While I enjoyed the book a great deal, I might not have included the last page about his adventures. Everything else seemed to fit into the story naturally, but that seemed needless. Still, this is a great book to share while alleviating the fears some youngsters will have about a move. It's possible to fit in just fine in many different places, as Little Bird learns to his delight.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bird and family need to fly south for the winter and worries about leaving behind all the processions that represent "home". So bird decides to take everything on the journey only to lose it all along the way. A pleasant story about moving and starting over.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ostensibly about a little bird that migrates. He is scared to leave his favorite things behind. However, this book holds a powerful message - especially for my military kids that have to move every two years. It’s a little book with heart. And the illustrations are beautiful!

[Kat Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the illustrations in this book. As a recent college graduate who is about to move away to a "Second home" the book really struck a familiar chord with me. I'd imagine this tale would be great for kids who have to move from one place to another or have separated parents. It also encourages that new favorite things can be found even if you have to say goodbye to old ones.

Also, the bird is REALLY ADORABLE. Really, really adorable. The colors and way the book is illustrated feels very fresh and made me smile.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Bird loves everything about his home and doesn't want to leave even though his brother says that they must move south for the winter. Can any other place feel like home to Little Bird? I loved the illustrations in this book. The colors are vibrant in the animals and backgrounds so much that the story really comes alive. I especially love Little Bird with his charming big eyes. This would be a lovely book to share with children. It might help to ease the fears of a child who has to move or who lives in two homes (such as due to a divorce).

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A warm, reassuring story beautifully illustrated.

[Whole And · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simply lovely book about migration through the eyes of a little bird that just doesn't want to leave all it's favourite things to fly south when the wind starts to blow. Planning to take the nest and favourite things along for the journey. As the weight is too much, things are let go little by and a new home is created, new favourite things are discovered and the new place is loved as well.

Art work and colours are absolutely stunning.
A beautiful immersion into migration through this story.
Can also be used to help with perspective for children having a hard time moving.

[Evan Childress · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bird has made a nice home for itself and is reluctant to leave its comforts when it comes time to migrate with the other birds. The little bird decides to take along the things it loves, though during the long journey it has to lighten its load along the way- much to the delight of those below who find those things!

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little bird find out he has to move to a new home but he’ll be coming back, he doesn’t want to leave all his favourite things behind. A nice read aloud book for young children which introduces the idea of emigration. If it is not a sensitive topic, children could talk about their favourite things they would take with them on a journey and why.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is hard to find a good book dealing with migration which is simple enough for preschool storytime, particularly now when so many kids have not been to the library because of the pandemic. This book fills that niche. The writing is quite lyrical in places, the illustrations are beautiful, and the story has a nice message and feeling. The porcupine page even got a bit of a laugh.

[Ainsley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book describes the process of migration of birds and also has a lesson about how the stuff we own doesn't make a home, but the people we are with. I think that is a nice lesson to have. I don't want to read this book ever again though.

[L.A. James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice illustrations. Great story concept to teach about what a home is for children.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touched my heart. I plan to buy it for my Canadian daughter- inlaw.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is so cute!!

[Lindsay - Library Associate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations. A good story about finding joy where you are at. Good for theme.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this little bird and the story.

[Maria Brandt-Madsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

En fortælling om hvad et hjem kan være, fint illustreret.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about impermanence and finding joy in change; also about the seasonal migration of birds.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little bird is scared to fly south for the winter and leave all his familiar things. What will happen if he tries to take them? Cute concept. Toddler and up and I loved the idea of letting go to embrace new things.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Sometimes you can't take it all with you and sometimes you find new treasures.
Little Bird doesn't want to have two homes. All of his favorite things are here! However, big brother says they have to go, the weather is changing. So Little Bird gathers his favorite things and attempts to fly them to the new home, but it's not so easy. Along the way he ends up losing his favorite things, inadvertently sharing them with others. When he gets to his new home, he has nothing, but quickly learns he can find new favorite things.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This simple tale could be very comforting for a child who lives in two homes, through divorce or other family disruption.

Beautiful illustrations show Little Bird trying to bring all his favorite things to his winter home, but having to drop them to keep up (They all find new homes with happy critters on the ground.) once he gets to his winter home, he finds new things to love. Sigh.

Charming and useful.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I admit that I am a sucker for stories featuring cute but realistic animals.

I adored this tale of the Little Home Bird who loved everything about his home so much that he tried to take parts of it away with him on the migration from England to Africa. The pictures were colorful and endearing, and while the little bird was not ultimately successful in creating his old home away from home, he still managed to be happy and create happiness for others by the end of the book.

[Ruth Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Bird is a happy and loves his home, with his favorite branch, food and music. He becomes sad when he learns about leaving his beloved home to fly south. So he had an idea. He would take all his favorite things with him. His heavy load made it hard to keep up so he had to let his favorite things go. Reaching the southern destination with the other birds, Little Bird finds new favorite things and begins to feel at home. The bold and beautiful illustrations are a delight.

[Beth Vredenburg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little home bird loves everything about his home, but it's time to fly south to his "second home." He had so many treasures he wants to take, making it inevitable that he must be rid of some along the way. As with other Jo Empson books, the illustrations are beutifully done, slightly abstract splashes of watercolor. Birds in his bed home look like fun!!!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be an ideal bibliotherapy choice for children in a multi-home/divorce scenario, or who are moving. It's sweet, gentle, attentive to the silver lining to be found even in difficult situations, and quite beautifully illustrated.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story can be about birds, migration, home, leaving home, fall.

Nicely told, I love how the author wove the story around sharing too.

The pictures are large, colorful and help to tell the story.

Love the "Home tweet Home" on the cover. Ends papers nice too.

[Mary Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the artwork, but the story doesn't seem to draw in a child's point of view enough.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

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