Feeling judged by taunts and insults from the other peacocks, Sai Peacock decides that his beak is too big and his singing voice is not good enough to share with the world. But then he meets Cricket, an unlikely friend who loves his unique sound and wants a front-row seat to watch Sai perform. With Cricket’s confidence, Sai is free to follow his dream, and the two embark on a worldwide journey of performances—billed with the message “beakonfident” as an homage to Sai’s newfound courage. Brimming with heart, The Unique Beak will uplift young readers and show how even one friend can make a difference.Sophia Frizzell’s textured and layered illustrations, boasting a striking indigo and emerald color palette, render a lush and regal world that especially suits Sai once he ascends to international fame. Though the distinctive illustration style lends itself well to animal stars in the story, the one human figure portrayed when Sai visits London comes across as two-dimensional by comparison, creating the intriguing impression that he is out of place in Sai’s world. Author Frizzell’s clever rhyming text (the book’s impressive first rhyme: ginormous and warned us) pairs nicely with Sai’s musical nature, though readers only get one line that he actually sings: “There’s no day like today!”
Sai’s path to self-confidence (and eventual fame) feels honest, in the sense that it doesn’t happen overnight, and even after he reaches stardom his best friend Cricket stays by his side and is credited with Sai’s successes—or at least plays a major role in them. Most importantly, Cricket treasures those qualities that set Sai apart, and adult readers will value the lesson of friendship over celebrity status, while younger readers-particularly those who are shy-will delight in Sai’s uniqueness and eventual victory over self-doubt.
Takeaway: A peacock and cricket show the power of friendship in this tribute to self-confidence.
Great for fans of: Giles Andreae’s Giraffes Can’t Dance, David Cunliffe’s Whoever Heard of a Flying Bird?.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
