BlueBird

Author: Bob Staake
Publication Date: 2013
Type of Book: Wordless Picture Book

This story is about a young boy who is very lonely. He is bullied by boys at school and doesn't have any friends. One day he notices this little bluebird that had been following him. The boy and the bluebird became friends and had many fun adventures. This story ends tragically when the bluebird is killed by the bullies. The boy is then lifted up into the sky by birds of all different colors so he can bring his friend to heaven.

This was a very powerful picture book but do NOT read it unless you want to be depressed for the rest of the day. When I first started reading this story I was thinking how sad it was because the boy had no friends and he was being bullied at school. Then this little bluebird came around and befriended the little boy. They had so much fun together and I was so happy for the little boy. Then thats when everything went downhill. The boy and the bird ran into the bullies and they killed the bird when they threw a stick and it hit the bird. I did not expect this to happen! I was shocked and so sad because I couldn't believe the bird was actually dead. Then it became a little more uplifting when birds of all different colors came and carried the boy up to the sky, so the he could bring his friend to heaven. This book was very intense for a picture book so I would make sure the audience you read it to is mature enough to handle the topics brought up.

Since this is a wordless picture book I would use recommend this book  for small groups. Students could work in their groups to interpret the book and use a graphic organizer if necessary. Once they finish the story the whole class could get together and discuss what the different groups thought the story was about. They can also discuss why they came to the conclusions they did. This book can be used for any grade level but if it is used in lower elementary school the teacher should make sure their students will be okay handling the topic of death.

Image References
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15799165-bluebird