Kerfuffle Bird

Kerfuffle Bird is a book of vibrant colours, rhyming text and an important message too!  The Hushlings of Hushville are quiet and always polite and seem happy - except for Maeve, who longs to be different. One day a strange, blue egg appears, cracks and out steps a noisy, colourful bird called Kerfuffle Bird. Kerfuffle Bird shatters the peace and scares the Hushlings except for Maeve who loves being in his company and goes travelling with him, experiencing different feelings as she navigates her new world of fun and noise!

Kerfuffle Bird is an unwelcome and loud guest in Maeve's house initially, but eventually he helps the Hushlings realise that everyone needs to share they feelings and let them out!

In school, Kerfuffle Bird is an excellent book to use for PSHE, dealing with feelings and understanding the feelings of others and showing empathy too! When reading this book with a class of six and seven-year-olds, the children quickly understood that although the Huslings were very polite, saying nothing to Kerfuffle Bird was not the right thing to do. It also opened up discussions about speaking to a trusted adult if concerned about someone's behaviour, actions and words.

The rhyming text is wonderful and can be used in phonics and grammar work, too. The text could be used to teach verb endings in the present tense such as bumping, flapping etc. There are also opportunities to explore reading and writing questions as well.

Kerfuffle Bird realises that he needs to tame his behaviour but helps Maeve and the Hushlings to explore theirs! The illustrations are vibrant and help to support the rhyming text in a fun way. Five stars!!!!

Picture book / Reviewed by Maria, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Kerfuffle Bird brings a wonderfully loud and noisy character out of the pages and into our hearts! Maeve is a Hushling and, as their name suggests, is meant to live quietly and peacefully in their orderly town. Sadly for Maeve, she has 'big feelings' that she wants to express, but she knows this isn't allowed. Until the day a large, blue egg arrives in the town, and the Kerfuffle Bird hatches out, bringing lots of 'big sounds' with it. Kerfuffle, as its name tells us (something to be discussed with little ones), loves to make noise, fun and chaos. Maeve loves joining in - but can they find a way to live side-by-side and make everyone happy?

Kerfuffle Bird is a story about finding your voice and giving expression to all your 'big feelings', something that many children do instinctively, while others need a little encouragement - and this is just the story for them!

The rhyming text and colourful illustrations make this a great read-aloud and the illustrations also bring a lot to talk about as you can visually compare the peace-loving Hushing characters with the loud and colourful Kerfuffle Bird.

A lovely story with a strong message at its heart - for adults as well as children - about sharing how we feel.

Picture book / Reviewed by Elen Green

Suggested Reading Age 3+