My Mum is a Bird by Angie Cui illustrated by Evie Barrow

Mum is coming to school but my mum is so different. It is Parents and Carers Day. Visitors come to school, talk to the class and then enjoy morning tea of cup cakes in the playground. But mum doesn't walk her daughter to school she carries her dangling from her claws. Mum doesn't talk to the class - she sings. And mum is not interested in the cup cakes so she perches high in a tree. There's a funny implication here about the possibility of bird poo raining down on people sitting under that tree. Then a spider lands on the head of a parent. Everyone rushes about but no one can catch it until mum swoops down and saves the day. This is an important turning point for her daughter. Mum is a hero. Mum has made her proud. So together they fly away home. 

So is mum really a bird? 

The word allegory might come into your mind when you read My Mum is a Bird. An allegory is a simple story which has a symbolic and more complex level of meaning. Characters, setting, objects and colours can all stand for or represent other bigger ideas. 

I am going to suggest mum depicted as a bird could be designed to show she is neurodivergent; or has a disability; or she might be a non-English speaker; or have some mental health issues. She could even be an alternate life-style advocate - hence the seeds for morning tea? Because we don't know this - you and your students will have plenty to discuss. This is a question with no right answer, and I am sure your students will have lots of interesting ideas and also personal stories to share.  

I did enjoy the moment of heroism when mum swoops in and eats that huge spider. The classroom or school learning goals are very appropriate - gratitude, empathy and mindfulness - I like these better than the three 'buzz' words used on signage at a school near me: opportunity, excellence and community and the words from my former school - respect, responsibility and personal best. To my eye personal best sounds so mediocre - no striving for excellence or setting yourself bigger learning or life goals. 

One important thing to notice in this story relates to the embarrassment felt by this child - surely this is a universal feeling. It made me think of several funny scenes in Greetings from Sandy Beach by Bob Graham - the little girl in that story is so embarrassed by her dad wearing baggy board shorts and also when mum has toffee wrappers stuck to her bottom. Also, the embarrassment felt by Emmy Lou in Sloppy Kisses (one of my favourite books).

The bookseller blurb says: A delightfully absurd and touching story about celebrating differences and loving your family - feathers and all. 

Image source: Evie Barrow

The author says: Writing My Mum is a Bird was a deeply personal and meaningful journey for me. Inspired by the real-life experiences of a dear friend, I set out to create a story that celebrates individuality and the beautiful diversity that sets us apart from one another. Witnessing my friend’s struggles and triumphs in embracing their identity and navigating family relationships moved me to craft a narrative for those who feel different or misunderstood. My hope is to inspire young readers to accept and celebrate who they truly are, while recognising the unique gifts that diversity brings. 

There is a tiny detail in the end papers - at the front all the feathers are in an ordered pattern but at the back one feather is slightly off set in the corner. This might spark an interesting discussion with your library group. You can see inside this book on Evie Barrow's web page. Read more about Angie Cui here.

You can download teachers notes from the publisher page. The notes suggest also reading That Bird Has Arms by Kate and Jol Temple but I thoroughly disagree because these two books are designed to explore very different themes. You might find a companion book in this Pinterest collection from my friend at Kinderbookswitheverything. You might also have a book in your library from 2015 called If my Mum were a Bird by Jedda Robaard. This one could also be an interesting companion book:

Never, Not Ever!

Thanks to UQP (University of Queensland Press) for my advance copy. My Mum is a Bird will be published on 1st April 2025.  If you live in Melbourne this book you can meet the author Angie Cui and the illustrator Evie Barrow at a special story time held at Readings Books in Carlton. 

I am a huge fan of art by Evie Barrow. I previously talked about these books:

I saw Pete and Pete saw me

Cub and Brown

My Mum is a Bird is a debut picture book for Angie Cui. Her next book will be published in June.

The day Saida arrived by Susana Gomez Redondo illustrated by Sonja Wimmer translated by Lawrence Schimel

Blurb: "The new girl, from Morocco, doesn't speak. She doesn't speak English, that is. But when her classmate welcomes the girl the share her native Arabic, the two forge a forever friendship while learning about the vast wonders in the world around them."

The narrator of this gentle story is determined to help her new friend Saida find her words and in turn the young English speaking girl will learn new words too such as these:

Blue 'azraq  أزرق

Butterfly farasha  فراشة 

Pelican baje  بجع 

Rainbow qus almatar   قوس المطر

Saedia (Saida) which means Happy  سعيدة

This is a book I would share with children aged 7+ but you could also use it with an older group. This text quote would make a terrific starting point for a discussion about words and communication and the power of language:

"And we knew that in all languages, there are words as warm as breath and others cold as metal. Words that bring us together, and words that separate. Words that cause hurt, words that awaken laughter. Words that tickle when they're spoken, and others that, when we hear them, feel like a hug."

Read some reviews of this book:

A joyous, lyrical text—including English translations and pronunciations and the complete Arabic alphabet—offers an accessible, fresh approach to talking about immigration.  The Ladybug Reads

A lyrical, playful book about immigration, respect, learning, and friendship across cultures. Kirkus

Drenched in emotion, Wimmer conjures up the emotions felt by Saida when she is unable to express herself. The illustrations are fantastical: the friends climb onto a hippopotamus, walk a clothesline as a high wire, and sail away on a hot air balloon. Butler's Pantry

Who are Blue Dot? "Blue Dot Kids Press inspires curiosity with beautifully crafted stories that connect us to each other and the planet we share. Written and illustrated by impassioned storytellers and artists from around the world, our books engage young readers’ innate sense of wonder and empathy, connecting them to our global community and the pale blue dot we call home."

Here is a video of Lawrence Schimel reading an extract from this book.

I would pair this book with Phileas's Fortune.

A single shard by Linda Sue Park

Why do I love to read children's books?  A single shard is why.  This book left me breathless. It is a wonderful story and it is wonderful storytelling.  Every time you think "oh I know how this will turn out" Linda Sue Park adds another twist taking you in an unexpected direction.  Tree-Ear is such a wise young boy and his relationships are so well drawn in this story of the special pottery fashioned in Korea and of one ten year old boy who longs to learn how to make such wonderful creations.

"Min was just beginning a new pot. Min threw a mass of clay the size of a cabbage onto the centre of the wheel. He picked it up and threw it again, threw it several times.  After one last throw he sat down and stared at the clay for a moment.   Using his foot to spin the base of the wheel, he placed dampened hands on the sluggardly lump, and for the hundredth time Tree-Ear watched the miracle."

While I was in America I thought I might read some Newbery winners.  I stumbled upon this one in a bookshop at Grand Central Station. A single shard won the Newbery medal in 2002.  You can read the whole story plot here and view a moving trailer. Here are some questions for teachers to use.

I was totally absorbed reading this book and I did not want it to end.  If you only read one book recommended by this blog make it A single Shard.

Here is an extract from A single shard :

"Over the past month or so Tree-ear had filled his idle time by moulding clay.  He kept a small ball in his waist pouch and experimented with it whenever he had the chance.  After some time a shape began to form out of the clay; it was almost as it the clay was speaking to him, telling him what it wished to become. A monkey ... Smaller than the palm of Tree-ear's hand, the monkey say with its hands clasped before its round belly, looking content and well-fed."

In a moving exchange Tree-ear gives the little monkey to his one true friend Crane Man before he sets off on a journey to deliver some of Min's unique pottery to the capital.

The scenes near the end of this book will leave you gasping. Here are some different cover designs:

If you enjoy this book (and I am sure you will) you might also look for The firework maker's daughter, and Where the Mountain meets the moon.