I Heard a Bird

When cats seem to scare away the bird she is listening to, a little girl searches for it. As she endeavours to find it, she notices all kinds of insects and creatures in her garden before lying on the grass and connecting with nature.

the beautiful weather over the last few days has reminded me of how much I used to enjoy spending time with my son in the garden, discovering and observing nature as well as playing and creating. In this lovely book, Rob Ramsden explores the importance of using all the senses to appreciate the world around us, capturing the joy of really focusing on the little things in life. The carefully chosen language is perfect for sharing with children and encouraging them to identify the sounds and sights of nature- and then, perhaps, to investigate for themselves. The little girl’s concern for the bird and her desire to make sure the cats haven’t hurt it also offers plenty of scope for discussion about caring.

Additionally, the story shows the importance of taking time to relax and take time to connect with the natural world. The little girl hears the music of nature as she uses some simple meditative techniques which families could try for themselves.

The illustrations are delightful. Bright and bold, they are full of details to discuss and explore whilst the text has been used in places to imitate the movement of creatures- woodlice wandering, caterpillars, crawling- adding to the enjoyment of the story.

This is the fourth in Rob’s ‘In the Garden’ series, with ‘I Saw a Bee’, ‘We Found a Seed’ and ‘We Planted a Pumpkin’. Each is sure to foster a love of nature. Each is beautifully presented, colourful and instantly appealing, perfect for sharing with little ones.

I Heard a Bird Rob Ramsden

Scallywag Press ISBN: 978-1915252005