My Happy Year by E.Bluebird

With humor and charm, a bluebird narrates her first year of life--adventures, joys, and scary times too--in this companion book to My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis.


"May 1: Today is my birthday." So begins the wondrous first year of E. Bluebird.

In hilarious, dated journal entries, readers are treated to the intimate details of an Eastern Bluebird's life. "May 8: Eating all these bugs makes me poop. My mom takes my poop sack out of the nest. Good thing." Over the summer she grows in new feathers, watches her siblings leave the nest, and learns to bravely take flight herself--migrating over the winter, and returning to start a family of her own the next year.

Paul Meisel's beautiful, kid-friendly art has been vetted for accuracy by two experts, and more information about Eastern Bluebirds, including a glossary and links for further reading, can be found on the illustrated endpapers.

A companion book, My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis, was an American Association for Advancement of Science/Subaru Science Books & Film Finalist. In a rave review, The New York Times called it "[a] celebration of nature's strangeness and wild wonders."

A Junior Library Guild Selection!
A Bank Street Best Book of the Year


Don't miss the other hilarious entries in The Nature Diary Series!

Each one explores the life cycle of an animal in dated journal entries, showing young readers how they grow and change through the seasons-- and offering a few laughs, too! Brightly illustrated and vetted by experts, Paul Meisel's books are a perfect introduction to your backyard neighbors.

My Awesome Summer by P. Mantis
CCBC Best-of-the-Year List, AAAS /Subaru Finalist, Leaping Lizards Top 10 Read-alouds, SCIENCE Best Books for Curious Kids, Virginia Readers' Choices
My Happy Year by E. Bluebird
A Junior Library Guild Selection
My Stinky Summer by S. Bug

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs