Published: 1 February 2023
Publisher: Starfish Bay Children’s Books
Illustrator: Abi Fraser
Pages: 44
Format: Picture Book
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars
Norman Blue tries hard to fit in with the flock, in this funny, heartwarming story about having the courage to accept yourself. Norman Blue badly wants to fit in, but he has a secret: he doesn’t have a crest like the other cockatoos. He tries to do all the things cockatoos do: screeching when he’d rather sing, preening vainly, munching on houses, and poo-bombing across town. But when he loses his fake crest one day, he meets a unique possum and realises he can have the courage to be who he is, too. In this charmingly illustrated story about difference and bravery, readers will learn the power of self-acceptance.
Norman doesn’t like doing normal cockatoo things, he wants to do his own thing if only he could find the courage. I was briefly confused as to whether Norman actually was a cockatoo or whether he wished he was. I’m still not entirely sure he is a cockatoo given how different he looks to the others, but it could be Main Character Syndrome where he needs to stand out, bald head and all, so we don’t lose him in the story.
The story is about trying to fit in, especially when you come from a flock that look identical it’s hard to stand out, as we see with Norman you feel compelled to go with the crowd. The narrative plays into the cheekiness of cockatoos and their destructive nature, we watch as the birds chew on everything and poo all over town.
The story has a good solid pace and rhyme. The formatting highlights words to help readers see where each rhyme takes place which is an interesting choice. The rhythm flows well as you read, easily a page turner as you flow through the narrative but stops short of being a sing song melodic text.
The illustrations are fun, double page spreads of full colour. Fraser has balanced the cartoon vs real depictions of the animals well, even with the comic and personification of these characters. The pictures are not complicated but there is enough to look at and enjoy before moving on.
I loved Norman’s little hedgehog friend. It’s definitely not an echidna, which is a shame given Albulario is Australian. But they are adorable. They are Norman’s cheer squad, support team, and they often try to help him with his struggles. They are a nice little addition to the reading experience even though they have little to no connection to the actual story.
Overall, it’s a nice story. A great reminder that standing out is ok, and could turn out for the better. You don’t have to be one of the crowd, you can simply be yourself.
You can purchase Norman Blue I’m a Cocky Too via the following
Blackwell’s | Fishpond | Amazon | Amazon Aust
