Leaving the Nest by Mordicai Gerstein

34 p., Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007.

Growing up can come with lots of feelings and can mean trying out lots of new ways to be independent. In this story, a girl, a kitten, and a baby bird show some of these experiences. Curiosity, fascination, and self-confidence are set against uncertainty, lack of control, and a need to stay safe. Each character makes tentative steps toward independence, some going well at first, some going badly. Readers experience each character's perspective (as well as the mother bird's point of view) as the baby bird falls, the kitten tries to catch it, and the girl rescues it - only to find herself uncomfortably high up on a ladder when she tries to return it to its nest. Although she's independent enough to attempt this rescue, she's also able to get her Mommy's help when she needs it. Soon, everyone is in their right places and well taken care of, and the baby bird flies successfully. Children will find empathy for many of their own experiences of considering (or not considering) "leaving the nest."

Ages: 3-7
Cultural Context: European American