Mo Bird's Barty and Darcy is a cute book of friendship. The illustrations are colorful and whimsical, adding to the delight of preschool and early elementary ages.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet book about a friendship between a duck and a pig. The illustrations were cute too.

I loved this story as I read it to my girls aloud! We enjoyed following the characters and their twists and turns through finding friendship.

What an adorable, simple, little book! “Barty and Darcy” is a sweet and entertaining tale of a piglet, Barty, that aspires to be an opera singer and a duck, Darcy, a budding ballerina.

When I opened this wonderful book, my first thoughts were how beautifully it had been illustrated by Brenda Howden.

Bartholomew (Barty) lives on Gentle Farm and anyone who lives there is certain to have a long and peaceful life. He also has a magical voice and his dream is to sing at the most famous opera house in the world.

His mum, Elsie, makes it her mission to give Barty every opportunity to become a world-famous singer.

Unfortunately, Barty suffers from Aqua Voce, a non-life-threatening condition that renders him unable to sing unless submerged in water.

In order to achieve this Elsie creates the Gentle Farm Symphony Orchestra with the help of the other farmyard birds and animals.

However, Barty’s fellow animals mock and boo him and embarrassed and upset, he runs away.

He meets Darcy at a pond some miles away, who, having failed at becoming a synchronised swimmer, empathises with him. Long-legged Darcy now hopes to become a ballerina.

The couple learns from a wise old owl that there is a cure for Aqua Voce but they have to travel to Italy to find it.

“Barty and Darcy” communicates a positive message of perseverance and eventually finding solutions to problems, no matter how big they might seem, in order to realise your dreams. The pig and the duck eventually became world-famous, but they never forgot the support of those who believed in them.

This story, as well as being very amusing in parts, was beautifully and vibrantly illustrated using different animals throughout and I would definitely recommend it. The book would make a lovely addition to a family library.

Thank you to NetGalley and Troubador Publishing Limited (Matador) for the ARC. This is my honest and totally voluntary opinion.

A sweet early reader book. I particularly liked the illustrations in this book
Thank you for the advance copy.

A sweet story of a piglet, an aspiring opera singer, and a long-legged duck, a future ballerina.
Barty has a beautiful voice. His Mum (where would we be if our Mums didn’t push us?) organises a concert with an improvised orchestra to help him launch his career. Unfortunately, Barty suffers from Acqua Voce, a non-life-threatening condition that renders him unable to sing unless submerged in water. Barty’s fellow animals laugh at his breaking voice and he runs away, embarrassed and upset. He meets Darcy who understands him perfectly, having herself failed at synchronised swimming. The couple find out that there is a cure but they have to travel to Italy to find it.
There is a positive message of persevering and finding solutions to make your dreams come true. The couple eventually become world-famous, but always remember the support of those who believed in them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Troubador Publishing Limited (Matador) for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Barty and Darcy drives the lesson of practise, practise, practise to perform as a super artist. The story line is cute in terms of finding kindred souls who value and respect your seeking and searching for art. Barty's 'Aqua Voce' case does make you wonder why we sing so well in the bathroom but not elsewhere.. there's a cure for it.. A special edition pants from Clothes International.. It is a flight of fancy and to realize it, you have to be a patient and imaginative reader. In my sixth grade when i read of a family of oranges traveling.. I thought it was funny.. so yes, you have to suspend reality.. if you are a peppa pig fan.. then you can imagine what a pig named bartholemew is capable of once he sets his mind to it..

4 stars
A sweet book about a pig and duck and their friendship. The illustrations were simplistic but still charming in a watercolor format. A good book for children just starting to read longer formats.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher, Troubador Publishing Limited, for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A very interesting story that was not able to sustain my attention for the totality of the narrative. An admirable attempt.

A cute book about Barty and Darcy, A pig and a duck who refuse to give up on their dreams or allow each other to give up. Excellent positive message and interesting illustrations make this a good addition to our collection.

A cute story about a duck and pig who are uncomfortable in their bodies. They go on a journey to find themselves.

Sweet story about two friends who stick together while pursuing their dreams. I think 2nd grade up will enjoy reading this story! It's just right for young ones just starting out reading chapter books. Engaging characters and plot, and the illustrations just draw one in! Wonderful book!

Thank you NetGalley for this free eARC.

My 8 year old niece and I read this in a hour. It was such a adorable story about overcoming your fears and a sweet friendship. And it was perfect with the pictures.

Will highly recommended to other friends, who have young kids!

Such a cute story!! It is a perfect read for my 1st grade classroom for those just starting out with chapter books!

Thanks netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a sweet story about a young pig and duck, who refuse to give up on their dreams or each other. I found it to be well-written, a heartwarming story and the illustrations just finished it off. My children are still abit young for this one, but it's a story we'll read together when they're 8 or so I would say.

Cute story! This is a cute story for the young ones who are just starting out with chapter books. My niece may enjoy this!

A lovely story about friendship. The art in this is brilliant and a great introduction for children moving beyond picture books, but the art still there to draw them in too. It has all you need in a story hardship, overcoming issues, working together. A lovely read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion