Families who loved Lookin' for Bird in the Big City by Robert Burleigh often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is searching for their own unique voice or feels the spark of a new, consuming passion. It follows a young Miles Davis as he navigates the electric, overwhelming energy of 1940s New York City in search of his idol, Charlie Parker. Beyond the history of jazz, this is a story about the grit and determination required to chase a dream. The rhythmic prose and vibrant illustrations capture the sensory experience of a city in motion, making it a perfect choice for children who feel things deeply and are beginning to explore their own creative identities. It celebrates the courage it takes to be a beginner in the presence of greatness.
