I’ve been sent some wonderful children’s books of late and Birdie Lights Up the World by Alison McLennan and Lauren Mullinder is another that I’m delighted to review.

Published by Exisle imprint EK children’s books, Birdie Lights up the World is available for purchase in all the usual places including directly from the publisher here.

Birdie Lights Up the World

Birdie the penguin believes she is the chosen one who lights up the world every night with her song. Her zoo friends believe this too.

In this sensitively illustrated story, featuring a cast of zoo animals, Birdie the penguin has a special role to play. Until one day she gets sick and discovers that perhaps her role was not as important as she thought. She and her friends discover that the world can light itself up at night without Birdie’s song. Birdie begins to question what her purpose is. She tries to learn the jobs the other animals do, without success. She feels lost and confused ― until her zoo friends help her realize her true purpose.

The author has said that she wanted to deliver the message that we all have special, unique gifts and it’s our responsibility to share them with the world. If we have a song to sing, we should sing it, whether it fills a stadium or only brings joy to one person … it all counts.

Parents, grandparents, librarians and teachers will all want to gift or recommend this book. It’s for everyone, but especially for any child who has been told they are good at something and then feels the weight of responsibility to take lessons and compete, and to be the best. Birdie Lights Up the World will inspire them to do the things they love for the pure joy of it.

My Review of Birdie Lights Up the World

Birdie has to sing to light up the world.

What a gorgeous children’s book. It’s a lovely story as Birdie becomes unable to sing and wonders just what her purpose in life is, so  that Birdie Lights up the World teaches children about their own skills and identity. Through Birdie children understand that a setback isn’t the end of things and that friendship, purpose and belonging are always possible.

It feels wrong to say that I liked the fact it’s illness that stops Birdie’s song, but I felt that this gave an aspect for unwell children to relate to. I liked the diversity of the animals as here we see that everyone has a role and talent, even if, like the monkeys, it isn’t always apparent. This is such an important life lesson. The fact that Birdie regains her voice even after she realises it isn’t essential to the physical light, but that her friends miss it, illustrates how we can all offer something to the world.

Speaking of illustrations, those in Birdie Lights up the World are wonderful with a range of emotions displayed through the animals’ expressions. I thought the balance of text to image was perfect and the pictures are so engaging even very young non-readers will enjoy the book and will be able to make predictions about the plot and characters so that discussions can be had to promote oracy.

Indeed, several aspects of Birdie Lights up the World are so educational, aside from the emotional intelligence and uplifting story. The text is relatively simple but with occasional vocabulary that extends that of young readers. Aspects such as direct speech are super exemplars for emergent writers too.

Each aspect of Birdie Lights up the World – from text to illustration – is so well judged, but added together they become a truly super children’s book. I thought it was lovely.

About Alison McLennan

Alison McLennan was a terrible creative writer as a child but an enthusiastic volunteer in her school library. After studying journalism and then working in PR/media, Alison returned to creative writing while raising her family. When not writing children’s books, she’s busy on stage in musical theatre productions, singing with her children’s band Allioopsy, working as a voiceover artist, or curled up reading a book with her cat Honey.

For further information, visit Alison’s website. You’ll also find Alison on Instagram.

About Lauren Mullinder

Lauren Mullinder has had a passion for drawing ever since she was able to hold a pencil and loves to create illustrations that capture and delight the imagination. With a degree in Visual Communication and a background in marketing and design, Lauren spends her days drawing stories, creating characters and teaching others how to do the same. Lauren lives in Adelaide, Australia with her husband and dog Charlie and loves spending time in nature.

For further information visit Lauren’s website. You can also find Lauren on Instagram and Facebook.