The Baby Beebee Bird ANNOTATION
The zoo animals find a way to keep the baby beebee bird awake during the day so that they can get some sleep at night.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
It is nighttime at the zoo. The animals are asleep. All is still, until. . .
beebeebobbibobbi beebeebobbibobbi beebeebobbibobbi beebeebobbibobbi
The baby beebee bird, new to the zoo, is singing his song. . .ALL NIGHT LONG! Nothing the animals do or say will stop him. Until, that is, they come up with a plan to teach the baby beebee bird that nighttime is really best for sleeping—especially for little birds.
The Baby BeeBee Bird, originally published in 1963, has been beloved by readers for generations. In this new-sized, full-color edition, Diane Redfield Massie's delectable story has been lovingly reillustrated by Steven Kellogg, creating a captivating bedtime story that is almost as much fun as a visit to the zoo!
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
The zoo animals wish the beebee bird would stop making so much noise and let them get some sleep. First published in 1963, now with all-new illustrations by Kellogg, "the beebee's insistent song shows up here in hot pink type, issuing an irresistible invitation to join in," said PW. Ages 3-6. (May) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature
This classic tale of the tiny bird who keeps the zoo animals awake all night is newly illustrated in full color and given a larger format. Kellogg imbues his animals (a giraffe, elephant, leopard, etc.) with marvelous expressions that will elicit giggles and guffaws. The yellow for the daytime and the midnight blue for the background of the evening scenes work very well. The cadence of the text works up to a real frenzy as the animals make turn-about fair play. The pace slows as the story draws to an end, making this a perfect bedtime story. A new generation of children and parents will delight in this tale where the Baby BeeBee Bird learns that "Nighttime is really best for sleeping...especially for very little birds." 2000, HarperCollins, $15.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2-First published in 1963 and long out of print, this delightful story has been reborn in a large format and newly illustrated edition. The beebee bird is new to the zoo and sings his song all night long, keeping the other animals awake. They concoct a plan to ensure nighttime quiet so they can sleep. The recasting of the original book from the tiny, petite size with simple cut-out animal shapes and a sweet little bird into this outsized, raucous rendering with an ungainly, gawkish, redheaded beebee retains its appeal and magnifies the playfulness. Kellogg's familiar style is a perfect foil for the frolicking turnabout tale. Creative use of large type exaggerates the noises, and the sounds match the big and tall animals' images and generate boisterous fun. This newly hatched effort is bound to invite enthusiastic participation. Welcome back, beebee bird!-Julie Cummins, New York Public Library Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|
Kirkus Reviews
Massie's zoo tale from 1963 gets a colorful remake, thanks to a set of typically effervescent illustrations from Kellogg (The Three Sillies, 1999, etc.). Just as the zoo's drowsy denizens are beginning to drift off after closing time, a piercing "beebee bobbibobbi beebee bobbibobbi" rings through the night from the newly arrived baby beebee bird. Cheerfully ignoring a collective roar to PIPE DOWN, the nocturnal singer keeps everyone sleepless until dawn. Weariness and annoyance are writ hilariously large on the faces of Kellogg's rumpled menagerie the morning after. Eager to prevent another long night, the animals bellow out their own "BEEBEEBOBBI" chorus to keep the beebee bird awake all day, so that by nightfall everyone, bird included, is ready for slumber land. Changes in typeface, size, and color add visual interest as well as cues for volume and pacing; simplified backgrounds, often just a large disk representing the sun or moon, will help keep the more easily distracted viewers' attention on the animals. The new oversized format is a distinct improvement, too, since the original was difficult to use in a group setting. Young listeners will find the invitation to chime in on the Beebee Bird's irritating continuo utterly irresistible, but this makes an eminently suitable candidate for bedtime reading nonetheless. Hooray for the return of the baby beebee bird. (Picture book. 4-7)
Home
