Willie Was Different: The Tale of an Ugly Thrushling

by Molly And Norman Rockwell, Norman Rockwell (Illustrator)

A sweet story of a bird who sang a different song. From the blurb: "Change the color of the moon - it must have changed its hue, of late - for this is a book that comes but once in a blue moon." Dust Jacket has Rockwell illustration in color on the front.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Birds, Art, Fiction, Music

42 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story illustrated and written by good ol' Norman Rockwell. Well, that's just wonderful!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A conversation this morning reminded me of this book that my parents had when I was growing up...I loved it for the story and Rockwell's incredible illustrations. I took an art and politics course in college and one of the only times I challenged a professor was with respect to Norman Rockwell whom he described as an illustrator rather than an artist because his work had, in the professor's view, no political heft. I called bs and it got quite testy. 😂

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once in a while, I love to read children's books!

This was quite a charming story about Willie, a different woodthrush, that used to compose his own music accompanied by Ms.Polly's flute playing. Amazed by this brilliant and prodigious talent, experts were called up from the National Ornithological Society in Washington!
Willie was taken to the aviary in Washington, where the stress got to him and eventually... stopped singing.
Ms.Polly decided to take him back to woods, were they quietly started making music again, however the world did not forget about Willie!!
A shrine commending his remarkable talent was built in the Ornithological Society's museum!

I think this story can even teach adults a thing or two!

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willie knows he’s a different wood thrush; he doesn’t figure out what makes him so until he hears music while he’s singing his songs. He actually creates his own songs. When the local librarian who plays her flute along with his songs shares her experience with Willie ornithologists want to hear for themselves. They decide Willie needs to be in an aviary with other birds but Willie is desperately unhappy and no longer sings. The librarian takes matters into her own hands and brings Willie back. He finds his voice again in the place he feels happy and comfortable. This story written by Norman Rockwell is charming as are his illustrations.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willie was a wood thrush who was driven by his vague sense of his own genius. Leaving his family to find just what he was a genius in, he lived alone in the forest until he met Miss Polly a flute player. Together the two of them made music. Willie was able to compose beyond the six notes of music that other thrush were capable, and together he and Miss Polly became a duet and the best of friends.

[Diann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick read (hence not on the year's list of reads) for young children, which I bought primarily for the art by Norman Rockwell, a bit more whimsical than his usual style. (We'd been to the Rockwell Museum a couple weeks back, and it interested me.)

[Cheryl Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations 😀.

[Sean Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprisingly good children's book that is still worth it for young readers!

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Norman Rockwell’s art, so when I saw this amongst the free books a children’s story by him, I picked it up. It’s a cute story and the kids enjoyed it. And, of course, the art is fabulous.

[Beckie Coldiron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite artists, which made me excited to read this book that he wrote and illustrated. I believe this book would be great for expressing individuality, especially in the classroom. You could also explore this book when learning about different types of artists and making predictions with illustrations. I would recommend this book for children in second through fourth grade.

[Scott Hayden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through the experience of a wood thrush... What if you could do something like no one else could? Strain at home, fame away, but Willie didn't like all the attention. What he wanted most in the world was time and space to do what he did best.

Autobiographical in nature.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

aw shucks, i loooove this book

[Caryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is an okay story - kids will enjoy the pics, but the storyline is more for adults, i think.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The greatest thing about this book is that it was actually written by Norman Rockwell, not just illustrated by him. It's also a great story in that it celebrates individuality.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

More for little kids. Nice to read again though.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little story about being yourself and discovering your own special talents. It's also about how your talents could become exploited, in a way. An anti-conformity story for children.

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story. Willie was adorable :-)

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this book at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA; how fitting! I bought this for my granddaughter.