Meet Really Bird, a small bird who lives in a large city park with his friends Cat, Pup, Mouse, and Rabbit. In each story, Really Bird finds himself really wanting something – to be bigger, to have his fair share, or to be the leader – to be really silly, funny, strong, cool, happy, or brave. And when he feels something, he really feels it.

Each story is an entertaining, character-driven caper based on relatable social/emotional themes, delivered with surprise twists, high drama, and expert comic timing. Along the way, lessons are learned about qualities such as teamwork and compassion. The emphasis is on character growth and development through creative problem-solving. Friendship and emotional engagement are at the heart of every story.

In I Really Want to Be First!, Really Bird is usually in line behind his two best friends, Cat and Pup. He wants to be first for a change, so he thinks up a scheme to become the leader of the group. Along the way, Really Bird discovers that being the leader involves more than being first.

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My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

In I Really Want to Be First!, Really Bird is always last behind his friends Cat and Pup. Today, he wants to be first…he really wants to be first, so they let him. He figures out that if he’s first, that he needs to take responsibility as the leader.

This is a cute book with bright and colorful illustrations throughout. The lesson here is fairly vague, and children may not pick up on it, but it’s still a cute story.

About the Author

Harriet Ziefert is the author of hundreds of children’s books and the publisher of Blue Apple Books in Maplewood, New Jersey. Her books include the bestelling Sleepy Dog in the Step Into Reading series and the acclaimed A New Coat for Anna, a story of the devotion between a mother and daughter during hard times after World War II.