LEAVING THE NEST
by Mordicai Gerstein & illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein
The world can be a scary place when you’re little and heading out on your own for the first time. Uncertain about leaving his safe nest, a baby blue jay tentatively flaps and flutters his wings, a little girl experimentally rides her bike by herself, a curious kitten ventures into the backyard and a baby squirrel watches as an amazing chain reaction of events brings these fledging adventurers together. When baby jay falls, the kitten pounces, the girl flies off her bike trying to rescue the jay and baby jay’s mother freaks out. The little girl climbs a ladder to return the traumatized baby jay to his nest, but she’s afraid to climb back down. Meanwhile, the nosy kitten gets stuck in the tree, triggering another rescue. Teeming with hilarious mishap and activity, the colorful illustrations simultaneously show the very different perspectives of baby jay, the girl, the kitten and the squirrel as they successfully venture forth into the big wide backyard world. Guaranteed to pump self-confidence in wee ones about to leave the nest. (Picture book. 3-6)