Publication Date: 12 March 2026

The Blurb

Birdie is an overthinker, and she has a lot to overthink. Her BFF Chloe wants new friends (BETRAYAL), she will be a teenager in one year (BREATHE), yet owns ZERO bras (surely some mistake?!), and a boy at school maybe has a crush on her (BUT HOW TO BE SURE?!).

So Birdie has made a Happy List to tackle all the awkward and emotional challenges of being a tween. THEN she will stop being an anxious ball of stress and be happy!

That’s the plan anyway…

The first book in the brand-new illustrated series filled with LOLs, BFFs, drama and crushes, and lots of overthinking!

The Review

Birdie is the relatable hero every overthinker needs in this pitch-perfect, laugh-out-loud look at how tiny worries can become giant problems.

Birdie is such a wonderfully written character that you can’t help but see a bit of yourself in her. Her voice is authentic and incredibly funny, making her one of the most relatable characters I’ve come across in a long while. Whether she is panicking over friendship shifts or facing the sheer awkwardness of bra-shopping, her internal monologue feels so real.

It is a fantastic book for building empathy in young readers allowing you to step directly into the shoes of someone who feels things very deeply and reminds us all that everyone has their own internal battles, even when they seem fine on the outside. I loved how the story handles anxiety. It perfectly illustrates how those tiny, niggling worries, like a best friend talking to someone new or a confusing text, can quickly spiral into huge, overwhelming monsters if they aren’t dealt with. Birdie’s Happy List is a brave attempt to take control, but the book beautifully shows that we don’t have to tackle the big stuff alone.

This is a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud start to a new series. It handles the drama of BFFs, blending families, and the liss of a pet with a lot of soul. It’s the perfect read for anyone who has ever felt a little bit overwhelmed by the world and needs to know they aren’t alone, and aù brilliant reminder that reminder that talking about our feelings is the best way to keep those anxious ball of stress moments at bay.

Great for fans of:

• The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby
• What’s New Harper Drew? by Kathy Weeks
• The Accidental Diary of B.U.G. by Jen Carney

Huge thanks to Usborne for sending me an early proof copy.