Only: The Bird Who Liked Being Alone

Airlie Anderson

$17.99

Publication Date: February 6th, 2024

Publisher:

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

ISBN:

9780316409612

Pages:

Bear Pond Books of Montpelier

1 on hand, as of Apr 24 4:46pm

On Our Shelves Now

Description

In the tradition of The Quiet Book, this book tells the story of a bird who likes being alone, but doesn’t want to be lonely.

Only likes quiet time, and they definitely like being alone. All the other birds are too loud and too rough! Only decides to create a peaceful space that's just for them, but when a friend shows up wanting to try some quiet time too, the two birds must figure out a way to be sure no one feels left out.

In this companion title to Neither, Airlie Anderson shows readers that it's okay to sometimes be noisy, to sometimes be quiet, to sometimes be together, and to sometimes be alone—as long as no one is made to feel lonely.

About the Author

Airlie Anderson is the author and illustrator of Neither, Cat's Colors, Momo and Snap Are Not Friends!, and several other children's books. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and creates her illustrations using gouache on paper. She has also won the Moonbeam Children's Book Award, the Independent Publisher Book Award, and the Practical Preschool Award. Airlie lives in New Jersey and invites you to visit her online at airlieanderson.com.

Praise for Only: The Bird Who Liked Being Alone

"This sweet, gentle story reassures children who cherish contemplative moments that they don’t have to abandon lively times with pals. The colorful, adorable gouache illustrations capture the birds’ personalities.... Proof that you can have the best of both worlds: quiet solitude and boisterous time with friends."—Kirkus Reviews

"Affirming for introverts and extroverts, this feel-good animal story invites discussion about empathy and friendship. A welcome purchase for most picture book collections."—School Library Journal

"Round lines and shape-based art clearly convey Only’s needs and the peace of the sensory corner, while speech balloons note subtle nuances around interpersonal interaction."—Publishers Weekly

Praise for Neither:

A 2019 Rainbow Book List Selection

"Anderson (Cat's Colors) tackles exclusion, difference, and identity in a sweet-tempered fable.... Anderson's candy-colored palette and adorable cast of creatures reflect a spectrum of states of being, creating a book that works as a resource for conversations about race, blended identities, gender norms, and more."—Publishers Weekly

"This stands out for its accessibility to even very young read-aloud audiences. A sweet story of acceptance for all those who are this, that, neither, either, and everything in between."—Kirkus

"Hits all right notes and is filled with fun, fantastical creatures to boot."—School Library Journal

"A positive celebration of diversity and how our world is a better place when everyone is included."—The Reading Eagle

"Features key parts of the transgender experience and is perfect for kids in kindergarten through second grade."
—Out.com

"Cute... This sweet, simple parable could be used as a conversation starter about gender, race, and/or identity with very young children."—School Library Connection