Empson, Jo. Little Home Bird. illus. by Jo Empson. 36p. Child’s Play. Jul. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781846438899. 

PreS-Gr 1 –Little Bird loves his home and is reluctant to leave his favorite things behind when it’s time to fly south for the winter. He comes up with a seemingly clever idea—to bring everything with him, carrying his beloved possessions in his nest. Alas, the load proves to be too heavy for the journey, as one by one Little Bird drops his branch, wind chimes, and berries. When he arrives at his new home, he discovers that there are new favorite things to find and that going between two homes is not as daunting as he feared. Empson’s illustrations combine bold, striking colors with soft, gentle washes, a perfect representation of Little Bird’s vulnerability and determination. The diminutive protagonist’s vivid citrine coloring contrasts with his plaintive, oversize eyes. The last page features a simple map depicting Little Bird’s path from the UK to the west coast of Africa near the Gulf of Guinea. VERDICT Mellow and reassuring, this is a wonderful story to share, especially with children facing a move or a similar multiple-home situation, and one that can serve as a conversation starter about the meaning of home and challenges of migration.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY