The Bird Who Swallowed a Star

by Laurie Cohen, Toni Demuro (Illustrations)

The sadness of one little bird who shines bright is captured in the form of a tale that tackles the theme of exclusion and difference. 

One night, a bird swallows a star, making him as bright as a diamond. Because of that, nobody wants him around. Except an amazing traveler who crosses the vast desert.

Discover how one little bird, who is excluded by all of his fellow animals for being different, is able to find solace and friendship after shedding a few glittering tears.

The text plays on repetition to help build confidence in emerging readers, and the wonder of what follows and the open ending encourage everyone to let their imaginations shine.

Genres: Picture Books, Birds

36 pages, Hardcover

Published March 28, 2021

Reviews

[The Half-blood Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not gonna lie, I cried. Everyone has their place and someone who'll appreciate them.

The art is really pretty and cute.
______
Não vou mentir, chorei. Cada um tem o seu lugar e alguém que o irá apreciar.

A arte é muito bonita e fofa.

[Zaz · Rating 2 out of 5]

J'ai trouvé l'histoire assez moyenne et globalement triste, le rejet est mis en avant et les personnages secondaires n'évoluent jamais vers un changement d'opinion et une inclusion. La fin était un peu plus positive, mais ça ne sauve pas le message pour moi. Pas spécialement fan des illustrations non plus, même si elles marchent bien avec l'histoire.

[Oak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations and the simplicity of the story. The rejection was rough, the ending was up lifting. But I'm not sure about how we got there... are animals really "fools"/selfish for not wanting to get eaten, or in reality is that actually the wise and strategic choice for them? It seems the latter, and giving a different answer on that basic fact I think would be confusing to children ... not because they're children, but because logically it really doesn't make much sense. The book condemns the animals as "fools" and an implication of selfishness for looking out for their physical well-being... should we really teach children it's bad to protect themselves and to accept people even if they pose a direct risk of physical (or emotional) harm?

The bird's isolation and the (powerful - he has no predators and has a safe home) man's support of that isolation I also find troubling. Part (all?) of the bird's acceptance by the man seems to be he's recognized as exceptional (the same reason he's rejected), but if he's accepted because he's useful to the man... what kind of message is that? And if the animals are right to reject him (because they should protect themselves from being eaten), then does anyone really accept him for who he is with his present condition? And if not (if no one accept his for who he is) will the man - his apparent only companion - always accept him? Even though that's probably too deep of speculation for some folks, as a kid who worried about acceptance, I think this book would have given me anxiety without resolution.

I know the book is going for "be yourself and people will like you for you," but I get more of a subtle people-pleasing, priming for isolation/abuse vibe. Which is sad because it does so many things well.

[Nanny Miss Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes in life we are fortunate enough to be given a great gift that helps us shine very bright. For many people, that gift can become a burden when it attracts the envy or misunderstanding of others. In “The Bird Who Swallows a Star” by French author Laurie Cohen, an unassuming fowl is unexpectedly imbued with a brilliant light, and is shunned by jealous birds and other animals who are afraid of the dangerous attention he may attract. The animals are naturally trying to protect themselves, but we find them in the darkness, confined to their small, obscure dwellings--unable to see the bird’s true light past their own environment.

As can be the case with many talents, a stranger stumbles upon this bird and his ability to illuminate things around him with his sadness. The traveler is instantly fetched, and takes him off to his opulent home, where the bird is allowed the freedom to release his brightness and see his own potential. This book was actually translated into English and distributed in the U.S. some years after it was written. Though a deep and positive message lies under the surface, as a children’s book, Cohen’s familiar use of repetition and simplicity along with illustrator Toni Demuro’s serene, nighttime imagery will capture the awe and curiosity of any young (or future) reader.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rule where foreign books are concerned would have it that if the script of this short and simple fable took six whole years to get published in English translation, it's that weak it's taken that long to find someone willing to do so. But there is always an exception to every rule, and this deserves many an audience. A bird bizarrely swallows a star, only to find it's now lighting up its surroundings like the brightest LED lightbulb – and therefore no animals want to be near it as it will always alert hunting creatures to them as easy prey. Stuck alone, a second miracle happens – but that's not the end of this short story, either. The low word count adds to the composed calmness and poise of the illustrations, which might at first appear static but still have enough to be really effective. In the end the book is about the treatment of others, the 'special', the different – and how there is always someone to appreciate whatever it is that makes us us. I really liked it – four and a half stars. Oh for those six wasted years, though.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was received as an ARC from Schiffer Kids in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was beyond adorable. I loved the message that was executed throughout the book. The illustrations were breathtaking and spectacular to look at and I know our young children of the library will be happy when they are finished with this book. I love books when they leave you in tears when done and this book definitely accomplished that for me.

We will consider adding this title to our J PIC Book collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content: G
Swallowing a star changed the bird. Now he’s bright as a diamond and no one wants to be his friend.
Readers follow this bird as he tries to find where he belongs, a universal struggle. The bird’s persistence pays off but not right away. I love the reality of multiple attempts to find the best solution, and I love the simplistic style of Demuro’s illustrations.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Tony Loyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much of a story but beautiful illustrations

[Aimee Borden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but not that great.

[Dactylaura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 🌟 c'était trop beau et le message >>> émouvant ++