A Bird Like Himself
What’s inside...
'Tiny Owl books are beautiful and deserve to find an audience in this country. It's wonderful that we are being introduced to such fine writers and artists.' David Almond. One day a large egg is left in a forest. It hatches out a chick who needs care and love. But his mother isn't there! So a wonderfully unlikely assortment of foster parents takes over the job of trying to bring that chick up.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the baby bird felt when he was being taken care of by different animals?
What does this story teach us about family and caring for others?
Why do you think it was important for the bird to find someone like himself?
How did the different animals help the baby bird in their own special way?
In what ways do we help and care for each other in our family?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the story, relate personal family experiences of caring and nurturing to the narrative to make it more relatable to the child.
Encourage the child to express their thoughts about family and belonging, reassuring them that diverse forms of care are valuable.
Ask the child to imagine and discuss what they would do if they found a bird like the one in the story, fostering empathy and problem-solving thinking.
Use expressive reading to enhance emotional understanding, changing your tone of voice to match different characters' feelings.
After reading, engage in a creative activity like drawing each animal from the story, which could lead to a discussion about the unique ways each character contributed.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of family and belonging
Explanation: In 'A Bird Like Himself,' a baby bird raised by a variety of animals eventually longs for and finds his own kind, underscoring the theme of belonging and family.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate the value of their own family and understand the importance of belonging to a community where they feel loved and supported.
Example Lesson: Embracing uniqueness
Explanation: Each animal caregiver imparts different skills to the baby bird, demonstrating that individual differences can be strengths rather than barriers.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to appreciate diverse personalities and talents, both in themselves and others, promoting self-esteem and interpersonal respect.
Example Lesson: Self-discovery and independence
Explanation: The baby bird’s journey to finding others like him symbolizes the quest for self-discovery and the drive towards independence.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to explore their own identities and strive for autonomy, learning to make decisions and solve problems independently.
Example Lesson: The value of nurturing and care
Explanation: The collective care the baby bird receives from the animals teaches the importance of nurturing behavior and the impact it has on development.
Real-World Application: This story can help children understand the role of support and care in personal growth, encouraging them to accept care from others and offer the same in return.