Birdie believes she is the chosen one who lights up the world every night with her song. Featuring a cast of zoo animals, Birdie the penguin begins to question her purpose when the sky lights up without her one evening. She tries to learn the jobs the other animals do, without success. Her zoo friends help her realise her true purpose.
This is a cute story about expectations and achievements. Younger readers who have been told they're good at something, and then feel the weight of responsibility, Birdie's story will be especially relatable. For others, it will show them that you can be good at something without pressure, that the fun you get from taking part can be all the purpose we need.
Illustrator Lauren Mullinder has created lovely artwork with gentle zoo animals and a reimagined zoo. There's an especially lovely double spread of the animals watching the moon rise at the end of the story that my little readers loved.
Birdie Lights Up The World is a lovely, gentle story about the importance of being yourself and sharing your own unique gifts with the world.
EK Books
Reviewed by Rebekah Lyell