A Bird About to Sing

by Laura Nyman Montenegro

Natalie, who likes to write poems but is too shy to recite her poetry in front of others, goes to a poetry reading and discovers that a poem needs to be read out loud at just the right time.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 2003

Reviews

[Kathleen Behrendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about empowerment is, unfortunately, out of print. Natalie is a budding young poet who is too shy to read her poems out loud at a poetry reading. However, she finds the confidence to read her poems out loud to her poetry teacher while they are riding home on the bus. To her amazement, her fellow bus riders are the very same poets who were at the poetry reading! The Picasso-like gouache illustrations really add to the atmosphere with multicultural characters. Laura Nyman Montenegro is a local author/illustrator from Evanston.

Recommend this books to readers in Kindergarten and older. This would be a fantastic book for teachers to use as an introduction to creative writing and poetry. Use this title in a display for National Poetry Month (April).

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dancing, character-filled artwork in rich apricots and olives complements honest first-person expression to buoy us through the crests and troughs of a young artist’s big day in this inspiring story of confidence, creativity and acceptance.

You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

[LaRaie Zimm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book tell the story of a shy young poet who reads her poetry in front of an audience for the first time. This is a very sweet and very New York kind of book, as the girl's poetry teacher takes her on a city bus to a poetry reading for the first time. Being a poetry student myself, I have a special love for this one.

5+

[Angelica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book is absolutely beautiful. Natalie is a poet and she has a poetry teacher Monica who helps her with her poetry. I love how pictures compliment each line in the poem. Unfortunately she doesn't want to read her poetry aloud until she is among other poets.

This picture book is full of color and makes it easy to read about poetry

[Sara]

It's hard to pick a favorite spread from the artwork, but I'd really like a poster-sized version of the two pages that say: "Suddenly, we are in a room full of...poets!"

For every young (and old) poet you know.

[Sam Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I like the cast of color in this story about mentorship and embracing poetry, something about poetry being the realm of grown-ups turned me off. I'm curious what other people think of this one ...

[Marissa Elera · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I feel like a bird when the sun first breaks."

This warm picture book about bravery and finding your inner bird song is a joy. Excellent for storytime use for older children, to introduce the appeal of poetry, to approach the subject of performance, expression, or stage fright.

[Marissa Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I feel like a bird when the sun first breaks."

This warm picture book about bravery and finding your inner bird song is a joy. Excellent for storytime use for older children, to introduce the appeal of poetry, to approach the subject of performance, expression, or stage fright.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a little girl who likes to write poetry but is afraid to read her poetry aloud in front of an audience. It's a nice story, but not outstanding.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading Rainbow: Mr. George Baker

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes, the story is great. May be a wonderful book to quiet a child's fear of speaking in public or reading out loud to a group. But, I cannot get past the creepy illustrations.

[Lori Gravley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can a budding poet do if she's too afraid to speak her words out loud?