ROBIN’S HOME

A sympathetic tale about the travails of growing up, seen through the eyes of a reluctant baby robin. Robin is quite comfortable in his cozy little home and quails at the thought of leaving the safe haven of his nest. Rather than trying out his wings, Robin nestles down and listens to his parents' stories about building their home. Not even his sister's tales about the delights of mud or his brother's teasing can coax the timid bird from his perch. However, with the loving support of his parents, Robin finally takes to the wing for a somewhat haphazard, but ultimately successful, first flight. Atkins's compassionate story addresses the diametrically opposing emotions—the inexorable progression toward independence and the desire to cling to the familiar—that children experience as they grow. Whitman's watercolor collages, awash in vibrant hues of green and blue, are infused with warmth. Layered bits of torn paper give the full-bleed illustrations depth and texture while intriguing perspectives, such as looking up at the nest through the branches of the tree, add to the book's strong visual appeal. For budding ornithologists, or the merely curious, an author's note provides further factual information on the habits of robins. Wonderfully reassuring for anxious little fledglings of any species. (Picture book. 3-6)