Nerdy Birdy, written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Matt Davies. A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2015. $19.50 ages 4 and up

"Their glasses were too big.
Their wings were too small.
At least half a dozen had inhalers.
Or birdseed allergies.
They all liked to read.
And most of them liked to play
World of Wormcraft.

They were
exactly like
Nerdy Birdy!"

You are going to love the bird that you see on this cover! He is small, he has glasses, he has allergies: he is not like the birds he so admires. He wants to be part of their group (the eagles, the cardinals and the robins). He has nothing in common with them:

"Three things Eagle is good at:

1. Hunting
2. Fishing
3. Football"

Nerdy is good at some things, too.

"Three things Nerdy Birdy is good at:

1. Reading
2. Playing video games
3. Reading about video games"

Yep, nothing in common! The 'cool' birds don't care about his interests, unless it's eating 'bookworms' for breakfast. When the others fly off, Nerdy Birdy is alone and very lonely. That is, until he hears other voices that invite him to hang with them. They always have room for one more ... until they don't!

Nerdy Birdy makes an interesting discovery about those birds who are too cool to be with others. He also makes a discovery about himself when another lonely bird makes her way to their neighborhood. The two have little in common, but that doesn't seem to matter.

Matt Davies uses pen and ink and watercolor to introduce his audience to an assemblage of the most wonderful characters; some are likeable, some not so. It matters not. They will hold attention and spark interest for those listening to this wonderful story. Very funny, while also holding out hope for finding true friendship.