Review: Birdie Lights Up The World

Not every one of us wants to be the centre of attention however nearly all of us craves the necessity of inclusiveness no matter how slight. To feel special and needed; purposeful is a common want even in the very young. It can therefore come as a shock when we discover our perception of self is not quite what the universe deigns to be true. This is the simple but striking premise of Alison McLennan’s latest picture book, Birdie Lights Up The World.

Birdie is a cuter than cute penguin who resides in the local zoo, which the very astute reader will deduce from clues on the half title page. The rest of us will be too busy soaking in the gorgeous ochre and pink highlights of Birdie’s introduction as the chosen one. You see, it’s Birdie’s job to light up the world, which she does with enthusiastic dulcet tones each evening as the sun goes down.

Her sunset serenades, literally seem to light up the evening skies. Fellow zoo mates gather to listen and watch in awe as one by one the stars appear as a glorious crescendo to Birdie’s performances. With the ominous overtones of a lightless night sky firmly at bay thanks to Birdie’s intervention, the animals can rest in peace until one day, the threat of everlasting darkness rears its terrible head.

Birdie falls sick. Overcome by a voice inhibiting lurgy, Birdie retreats into a fug of dismay. The animals react with the sort of unreasonable fear young children display when faced with a night of being alone … in the dark! How will they cope without their chosen one?

Despite her absence of voice and abject panic, a truly strange thing happens. That night, the lights twinkle into being … without Birdie’s encouragement. This is a development even more concerning than the loss of her voice as Birdie questions as to whether she was ever really needed in the first place.

Determined to find her true purpose and worth, Birdie explores other ways to make herself ‘useful’. But, with the exception of the ambiguous actions of the monkeys, she continues to pull up short. It’s not until the end of another near imperfect day that her buddies beg her to sing her beautiful song, and by doing so, Birdie realises her true vocation is in the sharing of her special gift and spreading kindness which, ultimately lights up everyone’s heart.

The beauty of Birdie’s tale is the way it embraces the painful moments of realisation with the more joyful ones. Birdie’s pedestal is rocked and her self-esteem is dulled when she believes she’s become redundant. Feelings of being ‘surplus to requirements’ are not unfamiliar to youngsters who may be experiencing changes and uncomfortable moments of comprehension of their own. It’s how they learn to deal with disappointment, failure, not quite making the grade  – dealing with change.  And I’m going to make a cheeky reference to my own picture book, Pippa and The Troublesome Twins, here to emphasis this point on changing (family) dynamics.

Birdie’s quest to reassert her worth and her repeated failings to do so also reflect the vagaries of life. The ultimate ode to friendship ties this story together like a warm hug, suggesting we don’t need dramatic dazzling results as proof that our efforts are valued and worthwhile.

McLennan’s narrative sings as gently and evocatively as Birdie’s song which flows along sweetly against a backdrop of softly hued illustrations by Lauren Mullinder. I especially love how the zoo is not depicted as a place of confinement and artificiality. Birdie and her companions roam freely, pursuing their daily business with happy hearts. The additions of a warming scarf and hand– (or trunk) gathered pot of honey to soothe Birdie’s throat provide relatability, sensitive anthropomorphic qualities crucial for relaying this message about how important and special we are, just as we are.

Birdie Lights Up The World is a comforting shared read equally at home as a bedside story or as an animated classroom discussion text.

Title:  Birdie Lights Up The World
Author:  Alison McLennan
Illustrator:  Lauren Mullinder
Publisher:  EK Books, $24.99
Publication Date:  7 June 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781922539489
For ages:  4 – 8
Type:  Picture Book

Buy the Book:  EK Books, Boomerang Books