YAYYYYY!!! I am always happy when the Perfect Picture Book series is back. It’s such fun reading other blogs and reviews from Susanna’s list, catching up with all the other authors and readers and I get to showcase some great books that I have been reading while hibernating during our woolly winter down-under, while the northern hemisphere have been enjoying there summer. It also means that spring is here and I am enjoying sunny mornings now and looking forward to summer just around the corner. Lots to be so happy about huh?
Ria the Reckless Wrybill
Written by: Jane Buxton
Illustrated by: Jenny Cooper
Published by: Puffin Books of Penquin Group in 2010
Ages: 2 – 6 years
Theme: reckless, special, obeying orders
Opening Lines: From the moment Ria Wrybill hatched from the egg, her parents knew she was different.
Synopsis: From the time she is born Ria is told to stay perfectly still whenever there is a predator about. But Ria knows she is special and is reckless and doesn’t listen to warnings and hide in the river stones. Ria only becomes aware of the consequences when she is captured.
Why I like this: The wrybill or ngatuparore is an endangered native bird of New Zealand that breeds on riverbeds only in Canterbury and Otago. In the cooler months they move to the north island. It is the only bird in the world with a bill that is bent sideways. Children will love this lively story about a feisty native bird. They will also love how she uses her uniqueness in a cheeky way. Jenny Cooper’s stunning illustrations evoke the humour of Buxton’s writing and portray these rare birds in their riverbed habitat.
Ria the Reckless Wrybill received a Storylines Notable Books award in 2011.
Resources/Findings: Janes Website, and you will love her latest book, the Runaway Toilet…. http://janebuxton.wix.com/home#!about-me
http://knslibrary.blogspot.co.nz/2011/10/ria-reckless-wrybill-written-by-jane.html
About New Zealand birds – http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/
I’m always pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view. So pop over and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors
Writer and Dreamer at work 
What a sweet book with a curious character. I’ve never heard of a wrybill. Why is the bill bent sideways? The cute cover shows personality! Nice choice.
Thanks Pat. Yes it is a sweet little character and cheeky. They do allow for people to get up close to them but they live mainly around riverbeds hence there colour. Not sure about why the bill is bent sideways but it does help for them to eat from under riverstones. Here is a link with a little more information about them and other NZ birds… http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/wrybill Glad you like the choice.
What a cute story! I have not heard of a wrybill either. A great choice Diane!
Thank you Darlene.
Thank you so much, dear Diane…I’ve read two Perfect Picture Book posts (other than Susanna’s) and I’ve learned about two animals I had never heard of before…a wrybill…what a wonderful name. This looks like a lovely story…I do love when kids are exposed to nature and can develop an appreciation for preserving our endangered species.
Yes I always love learning about new animals or species that I have never heard of. It’s very interesting. I posted a link with more information and also about other NZ birds, with Pat’s comment. Thank you dear chum.
Oh I am a fan of kiwi birds but never knew of this one. Adorable!
How cool! Glad you like this. Thanks Cathy.
That’s a great lesson in being careful. Sweet illustrations and hownice to have a book for a rare bird. Nice way to remember it. Enjoy Spring!
Yes a lovely story with a rare character certainly will make it memorable. Thanks Cathy. Am enjoying it now. Good weather expected for the next few days. 🙂
Terrific. I am so happy to be introduced to the Wrybill and its quirky characteristics. Ria looks a hoot!
She is Joanna. A very cheeky little bird who learns eventually to do as she is told. 🙂 Glad you liked this choice.
I hadn’t seen this – glad you’re highlighting it.