Kerfuffle Bird
Helen Docherty and Gwen Millward
Oxford Children’s Books

Meet the Hushlings, they’re quiet, polite and always keep their feelings under control. It suits them to be thus, all except Maeve.. She really wants to let some of her Big Feelings out but does her utmost to keep them tamed.

One day there appears a large blue egg that. after three days, cracks open and there emerges a flamboyant and very noisy Kerfuffle Bird that shatters the peace of the Hushlings sending them dashing for cover. Not so Maeve however; she accepts the bird’s offer and they take to the air in party mood, coming to land in front of Maeve’s parents. Shock horror! The bird flies right into their abode, gobbles the food on the table

and proceeds to test the patience of Hushville’s residents to the limits. They said nothing until one night the bird’s powerful snoring releases something in them and it’s only Maeve who understands. So alarmed is the Kerfuffle Bird (what a terrific name) that it decides to leave Hushville.

Can any of the Hushlings do or say anything to make the bird change its mind? Seemingly it’s now not only Maeve that appreciates the importance of expressing one’s feelings: so can they all find a way to live harmoniously together?

A lively fun story about expressing your true feelings, acceptance and learning to live together. Gwen Millward captures so well the chaos that ensues with arrival of Hushville’s lively endearing avian in her energetic scenes.