Mockingbird Morning

by Joanne Ryder, Dennis Nolan (Illustrator)

Fifteen poems celebrate the compelling delights and wonders of a sunny day, as a little girl takes a walk through fields and woods to a very special pond

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 31, 1989

About the author

Joanna Ryder is an award-winning author whose books offer a unique blend of poetry and science. Her innovative Just for a Day series invites children into the world of wild animals, ranging from a sea otter to Tyrannosaurus rex. Ms. Ryder says, "Children know that my books often ask them to imagine being a different creature. So they always ask me which animal I would choose to be. I'd be a flying one, I tell them. Or if I could, I'd wish for wings. And I've discovered children would love wings, too. But which ones to choose? I wrote Rainbow Wings to help us decide." Ms. Ryder lives in Pacific Grove, California.

-taken from www.balkinbuddies.com

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely picture-book celebration of the natural world, Mockingbird Morning follows a young girl through a summer's morning - awakened by a mockingbird's song, she ventures out into the sunny world - as she observes the life around her. The narrative is composed of fifteen brief poems by Joanne Ryder, exploring such wonders as the furry moss on a tree-trunk, or the quiet "room" created by the low-hanging branches of a willow. The watercolor illustrations by Dennis Nolan capture the beauty of each scene, and the girl's wonder at each experience.

I enjoyed Mockingbird Morning, although I think not as much as the friend who recommended it to me. The narrative wasn't quite as affecting as I'd expected, somehow, although I did find the artwork lovely. The dust-jacket blurb describes Nolan's paintings as "sun-drenched," and I think that is very apt. Less of a stand-out title for me, than a solidly engaging one, this is a book I'd recommend to young readers who enjoys stories of the outdoor world, and to fans of Dennis Nolan.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book; it’s both simple and sophisticated.

For me it’s the illustrations that make the book special. They’re luminous and beautiful, and they seem to jump off the page, they look so real.

The poems that make up a loose storyline do reflect an atmosphere that goes with the pictures, but I couldn’t get excited about the story part of this book. I love the idea of it: a young girl keenly aware and observing of the natural world that surrounds her, and in a way familiar to most children, but kudos to Owen (see Melody’s review) because the poems/story were hard for me to fully enjoy. I did really like the attempt though, and the illustrations are outstanding.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the few storybooks that Owen would sit still for when he was a tiny boy, and one he demanded over and over. Simple, poetic and haunting, this lushly illustrated book chronicles a young girl's day. She is learning about how her world also belongs to all the animals, and she meets many creatures going about their work. The part that I love best is the interpretation of the dove's calls. The ending never fails to make me tear up a little. The writing is sensual, summery, languorous and soft.

This morning I heard a dove and I had to read it again.
One of my favorites, and one that Owen is not welcome to take with him when he moves out.

[Paul Hankins]

A gentle children's book rendered in short poetic pieces that work together to depict a child's morning walk and the discoveries found along the way.

There is a certain softness to this title that works well to bring together the senses and feeling associated with being quiet and noticing the world around us.

[Aviva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, just lovely children's book. It makes me a little sad that kids today (including my own) are so scheduled that they don't get the opportunities to wander freely for hours, entertaining themselves by watching the clouds and daydreaming beneath a willow tree.