I Really Want to Be First!: A Really Bird Story (Really Bird Stories, 1) (Volume 1)

Meet Really Bird, a small bird who lives in a large city park with his friends Cat, Pup, Mouse, and Rabbit. In each story, Really Bird finds himself really wanting something – to be bigger, to have his fair share, or to be the leader – to be really silly, funny, strong, cool, happy, or brave. And when he feels something, he really feels it.
Each story is an entertaining, character-driven caper based on relatable social/emotional themes, delivered with surprise twists, high drama, and expert comic timing. Along the way, lessons are learned about qualities such as teamwork and compassion. The emphasis is on character growth and development through creative problem-solving. Friendship and emotional engagement are at the heart of every story.
In I Really Want to Be First!, Really Bird is usually in line behind his two best friends, Cat and Pup. He wants to be first for a change, so he thinks up a scheme to become the leader of the group. Along the way, Really Bird discovers that being the leader involves more than being first.\nFrom School Library Journal\nPreS-Gr 2-A mischievous little bird, Really Bird gets his name because he does and wants everything really big, or really happy, or really silly. In this whimsical, easy-to-read book, Really Bird and his friends, a yellow cat and a black puppy, live in a city park. Whenever they venture out to do various activities in the park, they usually go in the same order every time: Cat, Pup, and then Really Bird. One day while they are going on yet another nonsensical adventure, Really Bird tells his friends that he really really wants to go first this time. Cat and Pup decide to let him lead. Really Bird leads his friends into climbing a tree, where both of them get stuck and have a hard time holding on. When both animals ask for his leadership to get them down, Really Bird comes up with the solution. Questions at the end of the book to discuss with little ones are a delightful addition. VERDICT A goofy, silly story with lively imagery by Foster, this book touches on issues of social consciousness, such as trusting, sharing, and having productive solutions to problems when issues occur. Great for any children's collection.-Annmarie Braithwaite α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.