In this bilingual tale, Aragon describes how a group of new baby birds grow, go out and bring back their own food, and then fly off to make their ways – all but one, Birdie, who takes longer to leave his parents and the nest in order to see the world. Although I am in sympathy with the goal of Lectura Books as “the nation’s only bilingual children’s book publisher dedicated to Parent Involvement,” Birdie flies away is merely a presentation of how we all have different paces in our growth; itis sadly lacking in plot development, any tension in the storyline, and character creation.  When Birdie finally goes off, the book ends without any clear resolution. The book is partially saved by the inventive, colorful illustrations -- cartoonish but intricate -- by Yomtob, paintings of what seem to be woven-like textures creating animals, plants, and objects. Recommended with reservations.
 
Reviewed by Alan Bern, Children’s Librarian, Berkeley Public Library, Berkeley CA