A Really Bird Story: I really want to be first; I really want a bigger piece by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Travis Foster

 Harriet Ziefert has launched an early reader series with Red Comet Press that is, like most of her work, quirky and unique.

Really Bird, as described in the opening of each book, has really big emotions - when he is "happy, or sad, or thirsty, or scared, [he's] REALLY happy or REALLY scared..." He's a blue circle with a yellow beak, a loop of tail feathers, and big cartoon eyes, accompanied by a yellow cat, with orange splotches, and a nondescript grey puppy with black ears, nose, and a blue collar.

Really Bird and his friends live in a park, shown to contain a little forest, flowers, fountain, pond, zoo, gazebo, and play structures. In his first story, he wants to be first. Cat is usually the leader, with Really Bird coming last after Pup, but he insists on being first this time and leads the trio on an adventure, climbing a tree. It doesn't end well though, as both Cat and Pup are scared at being so high and Cat ends up having to help Pup get down. This prompts an argument about who was first, but Pup resolves it and Really Bird leads them home.

In their second adventure, Really Bird is REALLY hungry and is not happy with how Pup divides up their delicious blueberry pie. After much discussion, she compromises and figures out a division that makes everyone happy, from Cat, who just wants to eat now because he's starving, to Really Bird who keeps asking for more. But what will they do with the last piece?

Each book, after the rather ambiguous ending, has a series of simple discussion questions like "Have you ever asked for a bigger piece?" or "Do you like to be first?" with a drawing prompt. Foster's art is quick and cartoony, with a limited palette of green, blue, and orange and a few small details of flowers and woodland creatures. Really Bird seems rather demanding, with his friends going along with his demands somewhat reluctantly, and bearing most of the weight of resolving their arguments.

Although one might be tempted to immediately grab these up as an Elephant and Piggie read-alike, they are really their own creation. They don't actually have much humor, although they are described as having a lot of laughs, but they will appeal to kids who are attracted by the graphic novel trend of easy readers. The primary use of these, to my mind, is as talking points for social learning and problem-solving as well as fillers for beginning readers who are looking for something new. The font is a little larger than average, with more difficult vocabulary, so they're not for absolute beginners, but they'd make a good book club choice for younger readers.

Verdict: Not a necessary choice, but if you are looking to expand your early reader collection and especially if you serve a lot of teachers and want to encourage discussion, these are a good additional choice.

I really want to be first; ISBN: 9781636550183
I really want a bigger piece; ISBN: 9781636550190

Published April 2022 by Red Comet Press; Review copies provided by publisher; Donated to the library