HUNGRY BIRD

Bird’s animal friends are patient, generous, and seemingly used to his endless complaints from previous outings in Grumpy Bird, (2007) and Boo Hoo Bird (2010).

Now, as the group sets out on a hike, Bird’s tummy is rumbling, and everyone is made acutely aware of it. Of course Bird has not brought any snacks, hoping to share in the others’ bounty. But Bird turns down all their offerings. Fox’s berries are not favorites, the idea of eating Beaver’s crunchy sticks is “crazy,” Sheep’s grass is gross, Raccoon’s sandwich is yucky, and Rabbit’s carrots are just too orange to be palatable. Bird angrily scolds his friends for not packing anything he likes and, collapsing in a heap, announces that he must eat immediately. Finally, in desperation, he tries their snacks and finds them not quite as horrible as he thought. When a lovely worm is spotted, he is already quite sated, instead demanding, “Who brought me a drink?” Bird is over-the-top, self-absorbed, melodramatic, and hilarious. Tankard’s digital media–and-ink illustrations depict a menagerie of brightly colored animals outlined in heavy black and resembling the cuddliest of toys. They cavort in equally bright surroundings with just a bit of a subtle background, which turns scarlet the hungrier and angrier Bird gets. Their expressions of disbelief at Bird’s final demands are priceless.

A delightful romp.