Little Boy George Wants to Be a Bird

Walker pens repetitive prose ideal for readalouds in this simple tale following little boy George, a light-skinned child in a blue onesie who wishes to become an array of animals in turn. “Little boy George wants to be a bird,” the first page reads. “So, he is a bird,” the next page finishes. Lines throughout follow in this instantly gratifying format, with George becoming an animal, then assuming its characteristics (“wings that spread”) and actions (“fly into the sky”) as a bird, whale, monkey, lion, and finally “just a little boy” once more. Whimsical line drawings reminiscent of Dr. Seuss’s art portray the child walking along sinuous paths, accompanied by each animal against light gradient backgrounds. After all of his transformations, little boy George just wants cuddles and bedtime stories with his parent, a fitting conclusion for this dreamlike bedtime book. Ages 4–7. (Aug.)