Little Bird Takes a Bath

PreS-Gr 1—Russo's new picture book is about staying positive on a rainy day. Little Bird expresses his distaste for the rain, briefly, then he sings bits of familiar water-inspired songs ("Rain, Rain Go Away," "Rub-a-Dub-Dub") and heads for the nearest puddle. Before he can get fully wet, though, he's scared away by children, a dog, and other birds. But it's while he's flying high in the sky that he spots something "shining, sparkling, and shimmering down below." Most readers may not have big stone fountains in their yard, like the one the protagonist finds, but children who live in homes with a birdbath will learn they, too, are helping birds. Established parks, historical buildings, and an active multicultural community are depicted with gouache and colored pencil. This story has repetition, prepositions, and playful onomatopoeia, all of which make this a must-read for storytime; regardless of the weather.—Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada