Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Elwood Bigfoot: Wanted: Birdie Friends! by Jill Esbaum & illustrated by Nate Wragg [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9781454908791
Hardcover ~ Ages 4-7
About the book: Elwood Bigfoot is big, clumsy, LOUD . . . and lonely. It's hard for him to make friends—especially with the tiny, delicate birdies he loves so much. Each flash of their feathers, each chirp and cheerful song helps him feel less alone. But whenever a birdie swoops by, and Elwood hollers at it to STAY, the scared creature flies away. He tries everything: sitting on a branch, having a housewarming party, even building an amusement park with snacks and pools. But nothing helps—until Elwood finally learns how to make his bird dreams come true.

My thoughts: This is a charming book illustrated in simple drawings that a child can grasp and identify with because they look similar to the drawings a child might make. The colors are primary and softened. Elmer has shaggy fur and dots for his eyes. The trees spiky. Flowers simple. Clouds just like Johnny or Susie might draw. So the initial connection a child can make of identifying with Elwood is with the illustrations.
Reprinted with permission from Elwood Bigfoot © 2015 by Jill Esbaum, Sterling Children’s Books, an imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. Illustrations by Nate Wragg.

The story is great for a picture book that is wonderful either read to young children or read by young readers themselves. The cadence, while not rhyming, flows beautifully and expresses the heartfelt emotion of lovable Elwood's despair over trying to gain friends and his disappointment in failure.

This book will open the window of insightful discussions on how we can have difficulty making friends because of our behavior that might scare them off. Perhaps they are not really scared, but are just not accustomed to something about us. We're different. We try to make friends. We fail. We try again. We learn what it is that causes us not to make friends. We adjust. We learn to get along and be accepted.

Elwood Bigfoot Wanted Birdie Friends! He truly wanted birdie friends, and he worked hard at getting those friends. In the end he and the birdies are happy.

A sweet book that is not too pretty for boys and not too boyish for girls. Just right to get a good lesson across without heavy handed teaching. Get ready to fall in love with this sweet Bigfoot critter.

Let's hear a bit from Jill Esbaum, author

What is the motive behind the story line of Elwood Bigfoot and Birdie Friends?  

I decided to watch Finding Bigfoot one evening to see for myself just how cheesy it was. One thing struck me:  they were always talking about “a” bigfoot. I couldn’t help thinking that the poor things must be lonely. From there, it was only a matter of days before Elwood popped into my head. That isn’t to say his story popped into my head so easily. Elwood Bigfoot:  Wanted:  Birdie Friends was my third try at finding the story that worked for him.

Do you enjoy being outside? 

Yes. I’m a small-town girl who grew up in a camping/fishing family. Childhood summers were spent in Minnesota/Wisconsin/Iowa campgrounds or traveling across the country, overnighting in National Parks and National Forests along the way. Now, I live on a farm in the wide-open, rolling hills of eastern Iowa and have a dog who is always up for a trek across the fields.

Are the "birdies" special to you as they are to Elwood?

Yes, I’ve always kept an eye on the sky to see who’s hanging around the yard. My grandparents gave me a bright lime parakeet for my 10th birthday. Maybe that’s what started it. Birds are so small and vulnerable, which makes them excellent stand-ins for kiddos, of course. 

A downloadable activity kit is also available on the author’s website at http://www.jillesbaum.com/elwood.html.
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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary product to facilitate this review by Sterling Publishing. Opinions expressed are my own. Product information was provided by Sterling Publishing. Giveaway copy is provided by Sterling shipped by them to the winner. I was not compensated for this review.

25 comments:

  1. I learned that the author raises hundreds of pigs with her husband. dwelchert at yahoo dot com

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  2. I try to treat people like I want to be treated and just be myself. dwelchert at yahoo dot com

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  4. I try to find something in common so I can connect to others and to help accept others I believe that difference is a good thing so I let people be who they are and accept them for that.

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  5. I treat people the way I would like to be treated.

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  6. I learned that as a child, she read anything she could get her hands on.

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  7. I always try to be positive and kind even if other aren't. It's simple but works on both counts.

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  8. Excited to learn that Jill was on NPR and runs a Picture Book Workshop.

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  9. I any believe all of the books she has written that are on her website! So creative.

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  10. I believein myself and thats what i do to be accepted by others i am accepting of everyone and just try to offer a smile and a hello where ever i go

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  11. I learned that Jill lives on a farm and loves writing childrens books

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  12. This looks like a really cute book. Thanks for linking up at Booknificent Thursday at Mommynificent.com!
    Tina

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  13. I try to be welcoming and accessible so others feel comfortable hopefully. I try to be a good person,friendly and treat others as I would want to be treated. I try also to consider their feelings.

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  14. I learned Jill likes to read,her brother is supportive and while she went fishing she may not necessarily have liked it.

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  15. I try to treat everyone they way I would want to be treated which really helps with acceptance.

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  16. I learned she grew up in Iowa and still lives there only 15 miles from where she grew up.

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  17. I like to interact with people in a nonjudgemental manner. I also try to make sure that I do not do things that will offend others even though I may have a different perception.

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  18. I am happy being me and I hope others accept me for me!

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  19. She grew up in a small town in eastern Iowa, only fifteen miles from where I now live.

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  20. I can't wait to read this to my grandson.

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  21. I learned that she started to make up stories when she was a girl, telling them to family on camping trips.

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  22. I try to be accepted by others and accept them myself by always trying to follow the Golden Rule in my life.

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  23. I try to show friendliness and acceptance to others. Hopefully, they will show friendship and acceptance to me as well.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  24. I learned that she got glasses in third grade.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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