Ten Birds

Reach for this book when you notice your child feeling discouraged because they solve problems differently than their peers or siblings. It is a perfect choice for the child who is often told to follow the rules but instead finds a brilliant, offbeat shortcut. While on the surface it is a clever counting book about ten birds trying to cross a river, it is truly a celebration of divergent thinking. As the birds attempt various complex and increasingly absurd engineering feats to get across the water, the story highlights the beauty of individual ingenuity. Cybèle Young uses intricate, fine-lined illustrations to show that there is rarely only one right way to reach a goal. It is an affirming read for children aged 3 to 7 that builds self-confidence by validating their unique perspective on the world around them.