Bird Hugs

PreS-Gr 2–A tiny purple bird longs to fly with his feathered friends but is grounded by his extremely long wings. After many failed attempts at staying airborne, including being sprung from a slingshot, Bernard resigns himself to a solitary life on a lonely branch. Seasons pass and the woebegone birdie stays perched, with his droopy, scarf-like appendages trailing despondently down the tree trunk. When Bernard hears a sob coming from “someone even more dejected,” he offers comfort. The little bird’s compassionate nature, combined with a mammoth wingspan, makes him a top-notch hugger. Word soon spreads throughout the forest, and a long line of animals wait their turn for some loving attention. Adamson’s warm and expressive watercolor and pencil illustrations show Bernard wrapped around a ticklish crocodile, snuggled up beside a blissed-out bunny, and patiently listening to a bat’s troubles during an evening therapy session. This small bird discovers he can reach new heights by leaning on his peers.