The eponymous little red bird in this rhyming picture-book lives in safety and plenty in a golden cage, but longs to fly free and visit the parkland she can see in the distance. One day, when the latch on her cage fails to engage, she has her chance, escaping from her erstwhile home and flying out into the world. Although delighted with her explorations, the avian adventurer has a choice at the end of the day: return to her cage, where she is sure of food and water, or remain in the wild..?

Although probably best known as the creator of the Bad Kitty picture and chapter-books, author/artist Nick Bruel here spins a tale of a little bird who must make a choice between freedom and safety. The conclusion is open-ended, leaving off with the question, posed throughout the story by Bruel, "What would you do?" I appreciated that aspect of the book, as I think it will open up some interesting discussions with younger children about which is better: being safe and plentifully provided for, or being free to explore and be yourself? I also liked Bruel's artwork here a little bit more than I did in some of his Bad Kitty books. That said, despite its good qualities, I found the meter here a little awkward, and didn't think that the test read particularly well. I subtracted a half star for that reason. ( )