Have you ever listened to Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” and jokingly wondered if the song was about you? We all have moments of playful narcissism, a little wink at our own ego. But what happens when that feeling extends to something truly unexpected, like finding your own name popping up in the pages of children’s books? For me, Betsy Bird, it’s a surprisingly regular, and always amusing, occurrence.
Choosing to take my husband’s last name, Bird, was a conscious decision, perhaps even a whimsical one. “Betsy Bird” had a certain ring to it, a playful alliteration that appealed to me. What I didn’t fully grasp then was just how often the word “bird” appears in the world around us, and especially in children’s literature. Suddenly, my name wasn’t just my own; it was a common noun floating through the imaginative landscapes of kids’ books.
Of course, encountering “Mrs. Bird” in various books is hardly a shock. From Buck’s Tooth to P.D. Eastman’s The Best Nest, Mrs. Birds are seemingly everywhere. It’s a testament to the ubiquity of birds, both real and fictional, in our cultural lexicon. And while some Mrs. Birds, like the one in The Best Nest (admittedly a rather shrill character), might give me pause, most are just charming, coincidental uses of a common name.
But then there are the moments of genuine surprise, the times when “Betsy Bird” feels less like a coincidence and more like a wink from the literary universe. These are the instances where, for a fleeting, vain moment, I wonder, “Could this book be about me?” Logically, I know it’s not. Emotionally, it’s a fun little ego boost. And thankfully, there are a couple of clear-cut examples that always bring a smile to my face:
The Librarian in Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever
Image of the Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever book cover, featuring the main character Freckleface Strawberry standing with her arms crossed and a determined expression, highlighting the book’s theme of friendship and overcoming challenges.
This delightful instance is purely thanks to the wonderful artist LeUyen Pham. Knowing LeUyen personally, I was thrilled to discover a librarian in Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever who bears a striking resemblance to yours truly. In one scene, Windy Pants discusses books with this librarian, and it’s clear to me (and perhaps just me, indulging in a touch of “im so vain” humor) that this librarian was a little nod in my direction.
Image of a page from Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever, showcasing the librarian character with glasses and a kind smile, engaging in a conversation with Windy Pants, depicting a friendly and approachable librarian figure.
It’s a charming, personal touch, and while the librarian’s appearance changes in later books, this initial depiction remains a special, slightly vain, moment for me.
A Very Babymouse Christmas
Image of the Babymouse: A Very Babymouse Christmas book cover, featuring Babymouse wearing a Santa hat and looking excited amidst a snowy Christmas scene, emphasizing the holiday theme and Babymouse’s cheerful personality.
In the whimsical world of A Very Babymouse Christmas, there’s another fleeting, alliterative mention. Amidst a roll call of animal names, “Betsy Bird” is called out, albeit off-camera. It’s a quick, blink-and-you-miss-it moment, but for me, it’s another delightful instance of my name popping up in the most unexpected places.
Image of a page from Babymouse: A Very Babymouse Christmas, depicting a group of various animal characters with speech bubbles showing alliterative names like “Dashing Duck” and “Fearless Fox”, highlighting the playful use of names in the story.
Then there’s the bird librarian in the first Platypus Police Squad book, The Frog That Croaked, set in Kalamazoo City, my hometown. While the librarian is a bird, and I am from Kalamazoo and named Bird, I chalk this one up to pure coincidence. Her impressive mohawk is far more stylish than anything I could ever achieve!
Recently, I’ve also noticed a surge of “Mrs. Birds” in middle grade novels. These characters are distinct individuals, not at all based on me. Yet, the questions arise. To clarify for the record:
The First Grade Teacher in The Best Man by Richard Peck
Image of The Best Man book cover, featuring a young boy in a suit looking thoughtful, with a wedding scene subtly depicted in the background, suggesting themes of family, friendship, and growing up.
She is not me. While she might be a tad scatterbrained and I do occasionally wear corduroy, the similarities end there.
And no, I’m not the jazz-loving Mrs. Bird mother in the upcoming Rita Williams-Garcia book (title still elusive!). Though the Charlie “Bird” Parker connection is a clever touch.
I suspect there are many librarians out there who have experienced similar moments of literary name-coincidence. Perhaps you’ve even found yourself as a librarian character in a book! If so, do share your stories! Let’s create a collective list of librarians immortalized (intentionally or not) in the pages of children’s literature.
Thank you to Travis Jonker for the initial humorous suggestion of “I’m (Not) So Vain, I Probably Think This Book Isn’t About Me.” While my chosen title leans a bit more directly into the playful vanity, the sentiment remains the same. It’s all a bit of fun, a gentle reminder that sometimes, life imitates art – or at least, shares a name with it.
