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Bluebird
"Like nothing you have seen before," raves Kirkus Reviews in a starred review.
In his most beautiful and moving work to date, Bob Staake explores the universal themes of loneliness, bullying, and the importance of friendship. In this emotional picture book, readers will be captivated as they follow the journey of a bluebird as he develops a friendship with a young boy and ultimately risks his life to save the boy from harm. Both simple and evocative, this timeless and profound story will resonate with readers young and old.
Bob Staake has been working on this book for 10 years, and he believes it is the story he was born to write.
From the Hardcover edition.
In his most beautiful and moving work to date, Bob Staake explores the universal themes of loneliness, bullying, and the importance of friendship. In this emotional picture book, readers will be captivated as they follow the journey of a bluebird as he develops a friendship with a young boy and ultimately risks his life to save the boy from harm. Both simple and evocative, this timeless and profound story will resonate with readers young and old.
Bob Staake has been working on this book for 10 years, and he believes it is the story he was born to write.
From the Hardcover edition.
40 pages, Library Binding
First published April 9, 2013
7 people are currently reading
1451 people want to read
About the author
Bob Staake
78 books54 followersBob Staake has authored and/or illustrated more than forty-two books, including The Red Lemon, a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year. His work has graced the cover of The New Yorker a dozen times, and his November 17, 2008 Barack Obama victory cover was named Best Magazine Cover of the Year by Time magazine. He lives on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 479 reviews
January 5, 2022
3.5 Stars
This was such an incredibly sad sophisticated picture book. I liked the simplicity of the illustrations and the story itself. I'm not sure who the target audience is with this one but it needs to be assessed by an adult for suitability before handing to a child.
This was such an incredibly sad sophisticated picture book. I liked the simplicity of the illustrations and the story itself. I'm not sure who the target audience is with this one but it needs to be assessed by an adult for suitability before handing to a child.
June 28, 2015
This book is depressing as hell. I am not understanding why it is so praised and lauded.
The pictures are pretty and it is wordless - two things I really love in a book.
But the story? OMG. A boy is a loner and/or ostracized. A little bluebird starts following him and becoming his friend, I guess. But when bullies attack the little boy in the park in order to steal is brand-new toy sailboat, the bird
What the fuck!?!?! Why would you want to give this book to children? It's depressing as hell and it also doesn't make any sense. For one thing, throwing a And if the book IS trying to teach some sort of message, I'm failing to see what it is. The bullies aren't dealt with, the kid's loneliness and pariah-status isn't resolved, he still has zero friends. I don't know what the heck is going on here.
I just found this depressing. I will give this book to some kids and see what their reactions are and then adjust the rating accordingly.
Here's a comic by the author, Bob Staake, that was published in the New York Times Book Review a few years ago:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/20...
This should give you an idea of his drawing style and his seeming obsession with birds. o.O
I was not feeling this book.
If you want a wordless, gorgeous picture book for little kids, I highly HIGHLY recommend the wonderful Journey and its sequel Quest by Aaron Becker. Superb! Much better than this Bluebird book.
The pictures are pretty and it is wordless - two things I really love in a book.
But the story? OMG. A boy is a loner and/or ostracized. A little bluebird starts following him and becoming his friend, I guess. But when bullies attack the little boy in the park in order to steal is brand-new toy sailboat, the bird
What the fuck!?!?! Why would you want to give this book to children? It's depressing as hell and it also doesn't make any sense. For one thing, throwing a And if the book IS trying to teach some sort of message, I'm failing to see what it is. The bullies aren't dealt with, the kid's loneliness and pariah-status isn't resolved, he still has zero friends. I don't know what the heck is going on here.
I just found this depressing. I will give this book to some kids and see what their reactions are and then adjust the rating accordingly.
Here's a comic by the author, Bob Staake, that was published in the New York Times Book Review a few years ago:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/20...
This should give you an idea of his drawing style and his seeming obsession with birds. o.O
I was not feeling this book.
If you want a wordless, gorgeous picture book for little kids, I highly HIGHLY recommend the wonderful Journey and its sequel Quest by Aaron Becker. Superb! Much better than this Bluebird book.
June 21, 2018
Contains mild spoilers
This is a picture book without text, I don't like the illustration style, they look too computer generated for my taste. The story contains themes about loss, bullying, loneliness and death.
A boy makes friends with a bird, he seems lonely and the story shows no friends or adults around in his life. When bullies try to take his boat in the park his friend the bird gets killed. The story has been mainly set in real life until this part but now many coloured birds lift the dead bird and the boy into the sky and then the dead bird flies off into the clouds.
The story is sad and gloomy and personally I can't see how this would help a young child deal with the loss of a loved one, pet or human. If this book was read to help understand the feelings of loss, I suspect the ending could confuse a child into thinking that the pet might be rescued or come alive again. When my daughter suffered the loss of her first pet she keep asking if there was something we could do to help the pet even after they were buried and this book would have given her false hope.
This is a picture book without text, I don't like the illustration style, they look too computer generated for my taste. The story contains themes about loss, bullying, loneliness and death.
A boy makes friends with a bird, he seems lonely and the story shows no friends or adults around in his life. When bullies try to take his boat in the park his friend the bird gets killed. The story has been mainly set in real life until this part but now many coloured birds lift the dead bird and the boy into the sky and then the dead bird flies off into the clouds.
The story is sad and gloomy and personally I can't see how this would help a young child deal with the loss of a loved one, pet or human. If this book was read to help understand the feelings of loss, I suspect the ending could confuse a child into thinking that the pet might be rescued or come alive again. When my daughter suffered the loss of her first pet she keep asking if there was something we could do to help the pet even after they were buried and this book would have given her false hope.
June 12, 2016
I'll admit I read this book in part because I had read severely divergent reviews about the book. It's a silent picture book that includes something a little surprising, and it has a fantasy ending. The story is about a bullied boy who befriends a bluebird; they travel the big city together. They share cookies, they play around together as friends do. Then (spoiler alert) the bullies accidentally kill the bird with a stick. Afterwards all sorts of other birds iterally lift the boy up and carry him off to the sky.
Some people hated the fact the bird dies. I have to say birds and friends sometimes die. I also have to say picture books rarely depict such things, which I was glad for. Picture books too often protect kids from those kinds of truth. I liked the way the friendship was portrayed. I am not a huge fan of the sort of staid illustration style, though Staake still manages to inject some warmth in it. That fantasy ending with the emotional rescue by all the birds of many colors, for instance.
I liked in quite a bit, finally. Very good, not great, but original in a couple ways.
Some people hated the fact the bird dies. I have to say birds and friends sometimes die. I also have to say picture books rarely depict such things, which I was glad for. Picture books too often protect kids from those kinds of truth. I liked the way the friendship was portrayed. I am not a huge fan of the sort of staid illustration style, though Staake still manages to inject some warmth in it. That fantasy ending with the emotional rescue by all the birds of many colors, for instance.
I liked in quite a bit, finally. Very good, not great, but original in a couple ways.
May 9, 2013
Bluebird is a beautiful story of friendship, hope, and the immeasurable spirit of love. The artwork is absolutely gorgeous, each page dripping with vivid imagery and emotion without one printed word. The images are at the same time simplistic and evocative, creating a uniquely powerful and visceral experience as you turn each page.
I love that the boy and the bird travel through NYC together; living in a big city myself, it's a nostalgic gesture to the wonder that surrounds us all. Without spoiling the end, I will say that Staake handles the issue of bullying in a sweet and poignant way...a reminder that life is hard and bad things do happen, so we need to really care about one another with kindness and love.
The story resonates immediately; reading it to my kids opened up a wealth of conversation about what it means to take care of each other (human and otherwise), stand up for something bigger than ourselves, and love with all that we have.
One other thing: he dedicates it to John James Audubon, which made me think of Gary Schmidt's "Okay for Now," also about the struggles of youth, loss, hope and our connection to the natural world via the beauty of birds. Quite a meaningful experience...
All in all, a truly magnificent book! :)
I love that the boy and the bird travel through NYC together; living in a big city myself, it's a nostalgic gesture to the wonder that surrounds us all. Without spoiling the end, I will say that Staake handles the issue of bullying in a sweet and poignant way...a reminder that life is hard and bad things do happen, so we need to really care about one another with kindness and love.
The story resonates immediately; reading it to my kids opened up a wealth of conversation about what it means to take care of each other (human and otherwise), stand up for something bigger than ourselves, and love with all that we have.
One other thing: he dedicates it to John James Audubon, which made me think of Gary Schmidt's "Okay for Now," also about the struggles of youth, loss, hope and our connection to the natural world via the beauty of birds. Quite a meaningful experience...
All in all, a truly magnificent book! :)
November 7, 2013
This one was nearly 4 stars until the bird died. I have big problems with bullies killing animals for no reason and then taking no responsibility for it, particularly in kids' books. Kids get their sense of right and wrong from stories, and this one sends messages that are really hard to parse without words. I loved the friendship part, and if the bird had been nursed back to health by the boy or something, it would have been a better friendship book. As it is, it tried to be both a friendship book and a "letting go" book, but it still feels really hopeless because the boy still doesn't have any friends. Getting lifted by the other birds was confusing to me. Comparing it to City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems, I was sorely disappointed with what could have been.
April 11, 2013
Definitely one of the strongest, saddest, and most inspirational picture books I've read lately. In this wordless allegory of friendship between and bird and a boy, Staake uses digital renderings of geometric shapes and shades of grey and blue, along with comic-style framing, to portray the urban setting. When a bluebird perks up a boy's miserable day, they frolic together on the street and in the park. A tragic event (that may shock some readers) leads to an inspirational, unforgettable ending. Have a tissue at hand.
October 20, 2014
I guess I'm one of the few people who aren't entranced with this wordless picture book. The first 2/3 was okay, but - for me - well...boring. Then, all of a sudden, right out of the blue, (Spoiler-of-a-sort coming) there's a shocking turn of events and then - what? - a spiritually uplifting ending? I read it three times. School just got out or I'd LOVE to give it to some of my 4th graders to see how they perceive it. I hate giving "bad" ratings, but I'm being kindly truthful here....Let's say a 1.5 because I didn't HATE it....
September 5, 2013
I wanted to like this book a lot, because it looked gorgeous and it IS gorgeous. It's great New York City images in a very distinct style, and when I started reading it, I quickly started thinking about what a great gift book this would be for New York City kids. And when I say "reading," I mean more like talking through the pictures about a boy and a bluebird with my 2 1/2 year old, because there aren't any actual words in this book. It's a picture book, that's cool.
It was cool, actually until the bird gets murdered, and I wasn't really sure where to go with my narration. So I would definitely recommend that parents reading this to/with children should review it first to decide if it's appropriate for your kid, and how you want to talk about the fate of the bluebird. The very artistically rendered bluebird.
So now I sound like I'm giving a book a negative review because I don't think it's a happy story, and that's not quite what I'm going for. As wonderfully crafted as the illustrations are, it's still a weird bit of narrative, it's hard to understand from the pictures exactly what is happening with the boy and his classmates and the bird. I can't figure out who the intended audience is, other than maybe graphic designers.
It was cool, actually until the bird gets murdered, and I wasn't really sure where to go with my narration. So I would definitely recommend that parents reading this to/with children should review it first to decide if it's appropriate for your kid, and how you want to talk about the fate of the bluebird. The very artistically rendered bluebird.
So now I sound like I'm giving a book a negative review because I don't think it's a happy story, and that's not quite what I'm going for. As wonderfully crafted as the illustrations are, it's still a weird bit of narrative, it's hard to understand from the pictures exactly what is happening with the boy and his classmates and the bird. I can't figure out who the intended audience is, other than maybe graphic designers.
December 11, 2013
Just could not get past the idea of the bird being killed by bullies and the little boy losing his only friend. Not sure what all the rave reviews are about, but when I read this book to my ten year old daughter (we still love to read picture books together), she said she did not like this book at all. I think many readers will be caught off guard with this ending, even if the bird is lifted up to heaven.
February 27, 2017
Great no word picture book about a boy and his bluebird. Reminiscent of The Red Balloon.
March 30, 2018
Beautiful and heartbreaking.
July 16, 2013
There are so many lessons to be learned in the pages of Bluebird from bullying, loneliness, dealing with loss and letting go. I'm so very impressed with how Staake manages to weave all of these points together in only 40 pages with pictures alone.
Bluebird follows the story of a young boy who is friendless and the victim of bullying at school. He's excluded from group recess activities and teased in class. Meanwhile, a small bluebird watches the boy and proceeds to follow him after school releases. A friendship between the two is forged and it's put to the test during a tension-filled ending.
Bluebird really surprised me with the fact that I didn't think it would be so deep. I expected a usual picture book along with text to read out loud to my daughter. Instead, Bluebird is told entirely through beautiful illustrations shaded in black, white and blues. Each page is also broken into smaller panels to depict the next part of the narration and the passage of time. I was immediately taken with style because it reminds me of children's graphic novel, but much more simplified. However, my 5-year-old had difficultly understanding what was taking place in the book because it's not a style she is used to. In fact, the first thing she said when we started reading was, "Where are the words? I need the words!" So it's a bit of a learning curve for younger readers, but what the narration lacks in simplicity makes up for with the fascinating illustrations.
The ending to Bluebird also surprised me and I'll admit to not realizing the severity of what transpired until after I went back and re-read the blurb. It seems like the ending is set up in two ways. Based on interpretation and readiness of the reader, the bluebird can be seen as either suffering a non-fatal injury or ultimately dying. This was a very clever and makes the book appear more universal to all readers despite age.
Final verdict: Bluebird is an unexpected gem and touches on tough issues in a very delicate way. It's the perfect book to use as a gateway for open discussion about loss to a younger reader, and moving story about letting go for all.
Finished copy was received from the publisher through Young Adult Books Central for review.
Bluebird follows the story of a young boy who is friendless and the victim of bullying at school. He's excluded from group recess activities and teased in class. Meanwhile, a small bluebird watches the boy and proceeds to follow him after school releases. A friendship between the two is forged and it's put to the test during a tension-filled ending.
Bluebird really surprised me with the fact that I didn't think it would be so deep. I expected a usual picture book along with text to read out loud to my daughter. Instead, Bluebird is told entirely through beautiful illustrations shaded in black, white and blues. Each page is also broken into smaller panels to depict the next part of the narration and the passage of time. I was immediately taken with style because it reminds me of children's graphic novel, but much more simplified. However, my 5-year-old had difficultly understanding what was taking place in the book because it's not a style she is used to. In fact, the first thing she said when we started reading was, "Where are the words? I need the words!" So it's a bit of a learning curve for younger readers, but what the narration lacks in simplicity makes up for with the fascinating illustrations.
The ending to Bluebird also surprised me and I'll admit to not realizing the severity of what transpired until after I went back and re-read the blurb. It seems like the ending is set up in two ways. Based on interpretation and readiness of the reader, the bluebird can be seen as either suffering a non-fatal injury or ultimately dying. This was a very clever and makes the book appear more universal to all readers despite age.
Final verdict: Bluebird is an unexpected gem and touches on tough issues in a very delicate way. It's the perfect book to use as a gateway for open discussion about loss to a younger reader, and moving story about letting go for all.
Finished copy was received from the publisher through Young Adult Books Central for review.
April 24, 2015
This is a well illustrated book, a book with no words. The fact that this book has no words is great because it leaves the narration of the story up to the reader to an extent. The style is very unique in that all of the pictures are on a grayscale except for the bluebird. What starts out to be a nice little story of a boy finding a friend in a bluebird ends abruptly when bullies attack him and kill his bird. The bird just lays on the ground, feathers ripped out, slumped over on its face, the broken stick next to him. The boy is shown crying, alone in the dark woods. Yes, there is an attempt at a nice ending where other birds come and help the boy take his bluebird to Heaven, but it is pretty heavy for a children's book. The message about going to Heaven is almost overwhelmed by the violence in the bluebird's killing. This book just left me feeling sad.
April 8, 2013
So sad and so beautiful. Simple and profound.
August 14, 2018
A five star review compares it to 'Fantasia' and Pixar movies. Strike one. Very artsy-fartsy NYC vibe, strike two. Iconographic and simplistic characters and development. Strike three. I suppose I may be overlooking something, but there are so many better books about grief, about loneliness, about sacrifice, about bullies... just, no. I almost gave it two stars for originality, but really it's a mashup of all those themes plus wordless. So, one star it is.
Off the top of my head:
Bully
The Dead Bird
The Red Bird
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend
The Happy Prince
Off the top of my head:
Bully
The Dead Bird
The Red Bird
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend
The Happy Prince
January 27, 2013
A gorgeous, wordless picture book done in the style of a graphic novel in lovely hues of blue, grey and black. Our main character is a shy young boy who does not fit in with the children in his school. After school, a sweet bluebird follows this boy around town (it looks like NYC) and the boy comes out of his shell and smiles more and enjoys his day tripping until... He runs into a group a bullies and the bluebird helps him escape, but one of the mean boys strikes the bird with a stick and he's instantly on the ground, not moving. What follows is a surreal and beautiful ending where you draw your own conclusion, full of colorful birds who lead you to the last page. For ages four and up.
December 10, 2014
Okay so I didn't even read the book....but there are no words, So i couldn't read it...BUT..the pictures are confusing, got through the first page and gave up...I might try it again and give it a better review...but...maybe not! I tried to look at it again but there is so many pictures and it confusing...I don't want to interpret their drawings, that is why I read a book so you can tell me a story. ahhhhhhhHHHHHH HHHH I know the pictures are suppose to tell the story but that is not why I read a book...yep the one star stands!!
May 17, 2015
A nice wordless story about loneliness, friendship, loss and life.
March 7, 2022
Wordless picture book that grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go.
April 22, 2013
Oh wow. I wish I had someone to talk to about this book right now! It's a story of friendship and conquering fears, bullying and bravery. SPOILER ALERT: But the end was shocking, and although I usually love stories of loss and legacy, this one seemed unnecessary to me. I remembered Mr. Schu had an interview with Bob Staake on his blog, so I went back to that and Mr. Staake said maybe what you think happened at the end didn't. That's why I need to process it with someone before I share it with kids! Or maybe not - they can help me process it! And does the allustion to Icarus on the school closck earlier in the book give us a clue about what happened? Is the bluebird an angel? Or did it fly too close to the "sun?" Or did what seem to happen, happen - the bird was killed by the bullies and the other birds help the boy release the bird into heaven? Questions, questions. That's the brilliance about wordless books - much room for interpretation! I love the choice of making the pictures black, white, and gray except for blue accents and the colorful birds at the end. I also love the strong sense of setting - the markets, taxis, apartments, outdoor cafes, and even an independent bookstore!
September 16, 2014
Bluebird by Bob Staake
Bluebird was a very different wordless picture book of the selected 3. I really like the how modern the illustrations were and how the emotions were displayed so vividly. Readers can see the different emotions the main character shows throughout the book and gives you an idea what will happen next. You can see that the main character is somewhat of a "loner". None of the other students are friends with the main character and they poke fun. A blue bird comes along and puts a smile on his face. They become friends and the blue bird is always following the main character. Until something tragic happens, where the main character becomes sad and alone again, but this time he is welcomed with new friends.
I really did enjoy this book mainly because of how everything from emotions to descriptive illustrious pictures, captures the reader in that exact moment, letting the reader know how the characters are feeling, what they're going to do, or where they plan to go. The illustrations are extremely detailed and using the comic strip look makes it so easy to follow. I really enjoyed this book!
Bluebird was a very different wordless picture book of the selected 3. I really like the how modern the illustrations were and how the emotions were displayed so vividly. Readers can see the different emotions the main character shows throughout the book and gives you an idea what will happen next. You can see that the main character is somewhat of a "loner". None of the other students are friends with the main character and they poke fun. A blue bird comes along and puts a smile on his face. They become friends and the blue bird is always following the main character. Until something tragic happens, where the main character becomes sad and alone again, but this time he is welcomed with new friends.
I really did enjoy this book mainly because of how everything from emotions to descriptive illustrious pictures, captures the reader in that exact moment, letting the reader know how the characters are feeling, what they're going to do, or where they plan to go. The illustrations are extremely detailed and using the comic strip look makes it so easy to follow. I really enjoyed this book!
May 9, 2019
A wordless picture book with fabulous illustration that depict New York. This book combines round, circular characters with the contrast of thick lines of traditional comic framing creating an interesting and sharp contrast. Hues of blue and grey support the mood of the story. Characters are nondescript that allows all students to identify with the book. However, this is a love it or hate it book. A boy is bullied at school but a bird befriends him. The boy and his bird play in the streets of New York and we have warm feelings about their friendship. However, the bullies return and throw a stick which results in the bird dying! The boy is devastated by the death of the bird and it is a lesson in loss, grief and moving on. Many younger readers may not understand the book because it is wordless or the topic is too advanced for their young minds. However, a really deep story that I enjoyed but think others may not.
September 24, 2013
A bluebird notices a lonely boy as he walks to and from school and is teased by his classmates during class. The little creature befriends him and flitters alongside him. They even play in the park together, and the bird seems to attract new friends to the boy. Tragedy strikes, though, when they encounter thugs in the woods on their way home. The boy is bereft at the loss of his friend, but in an astonishingly powerful scene, other birds lift him into the sky where he is able let go of his friend. I was moved by this simple story of friendship told through Adobe Photoshop illustrations. I couldn't stop thinking of the joy that birds and friends bring to our lives, enhancing them in so many ways, and the powerful image of "releasing" the bird to the sky after its death. This book provides much food for conversation and could lead to some powerful discussions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2013
Bob Staake's Bluebird is one of my favorite picture books of the year. A wordless book that's beautifully illustrated. The touching story of loneliness and friendship is what put it top of my list.
A lonely and sad little boy is befriended by a blue bird. The blue bird follows him to school, waits for him after school and is with him as he walks home from school through the park, ultimately risking its life for the little boy.
It's rare for a wordless picture book to be so powerful and the wordless nature actually makes the pictures that much more moving. The illustrations are all blues, greys and whites until near the very end creating a real sense of the little boy's emotions.
A lonely and sad little boy is befriended by a blue bird. The blue bird follows him to school, waits for him after school and is with him as he walks home from school through the park, ultimately risking its life for the little boy.
It's rare for a wordless picture book to be so powerful and the wordless nature actually makes the pictures that much more moving. The illustrations are all blues, greys and whites until near the very end creating a real sense of the little boy's emotions.
April 9, 2014
This is a melancholy tale, one about loneliness, bullying, friendship and sacrifice. The wordless tale is told in a series of illustrated strips in a kind of picture book - graphic novel hybrid. The story is endearing, but the ending is a bit sad, so parents should read this book first to determine if its appropriate for their children. Our youngest interpreted the ending differently .
The illustrations consist primarily of shades of black, white and blue, with the bluebird a lovely shade of purple. The addition of a rainbow of birds at the end adds to the sentiment. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
The illustrations consist primarily of shades of black, white and blue, with the bluebird a lovely shade of purple. The addition of a rainbow of birds at the end adds to the sentiment. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
May 27, 2013
Ok, so I think I have said this in the past and I will say it again; storybooks should actually have a story. This book was very confusing with the multiple pictures. I really could not follow it. I feel if you are going to have a "wordless" story book and it is for children it shouldn't have multi-frame images. The intended targets for this book will flip through the first few pages and put it to the side. The artwork is great but, that is really about it. There are a few books that can pull off image filled stories, this is not one of them.
May 27, 2015
I love this beautiful and moving wordless picture book about friendship, love and loss. It is both sad and uplifting.
May 17, 2016
Well, that was kind of heart-breaking... Good story, though.
July 6, 2016
Ante un final tan melancólico como su desarrollo, no pudo más que rendirme ante esta bella forma de hablarle a los niños sobre su importancia de ser en este mundo.
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