Review Detail

I HEARD A BIRD by Rob Ramsden is a simple and colorful picture book that is sure to delight the young reader in your life. 

I HEARD A BIRD is a sweet, fun, and wholesome tale of a little girl who is captivated by a singing bird outside one day. The bird soon flies away, and she, hoping to find the lovely little animal that interested her, looks for the bird, and in her search, she encounters many other fascinating animals and insects.

I loved the use of rhyme and repetition. It is so rare to find that in a picture book today. It brought back memories of some of my favorite picture books I adored as a child, with beautiful poetic lines and simplistic full-page illustrations that will hold the interest of little ones.

The tone of the book is lighthearted and fun, with the prevailing message being to take time to stop and appreciate nature. In our busy lives, we can often forget to take a moment to enjoy the world around us. This book teaches that slowing down and getting lost in nature often brings us just what we're searching for. 

The sentences are short and easy to read, with many good short vowel words intermixed with longer, more challenging words. A child may need some assistance with the latter if they are reading alone, and the book would also be lovely to read aloud.

This book is a good reminder of how nurturing nature can be written on a level children can understand. I recommend it to any parent, teacher, or librarian hoping to instill an appreciation for nature in the children in their lives.