Bird Brain

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian in North Wales,
Pennsylvania.

Poppy is looking forward to seeing her favorite teacher, Mr. Gusto, for
art class, but when irritable Mrs. Chester arrives instead things start
going wrong. Poppy is reprimanded for something she didn’t do and is
so upset she can’t think of what to draw for her assignment. When she
is kept in for recess to do it, her imagination takes over and carries
her off on a marvelous adventure. Poppy transforms herself into an
imaginary bird who has to fly away from Chester the cat. Not only does
Poppy return safely to the class as herself, she discovers that she has
drawn an amazing picture of her adventure as well.

This delightful chapter book is written in a fresh conversational style
that has all the exuberance of a young girl bursting to tell her best
friend of her latest escapade. Poppy’s language ranges from casual
current verbalizations, such as “Whatever!” and “Anyway,” to
charming, old-fashioned phrases and poetic imagery. The writing is
artistically sophisticated but entirely accessible to beginning readers.
The whimsical drawings complement the text beautifully. Poppy’s
perceptions of her inner and outer world will delight young readers.
Highly recommended.