The story of Bluebird Corner began in October of 2011, when Atticus Ren’s wife, Emily, created a website for them as a birthday present to provide Atticus with a platform to share their stories, humor, and art with the world.  Emily named the site, “Bluebirdcorner.org” because Atticus had a strong affinity for the Blue-bellied Roller, which had inspired their work since 2008.

Atticus was so touched by the gift and inspired by the unique vibrancy of the website Emily created, that Atticus wrote a poem to match that spirit.  Bluebird Corner, the poem, was born, and the seeds of a children’s book were planted.

Beginning in 2013, Atticus performed “Bluebird Corner” as spoken word with drumming at music venues, festivals, spoken word events, and community gatherings across Phoenix, Arizona.  The poem took on a life of its own, as Atticus invited children and adults alike to participate in the performance with percussion instruments, flowing fabrics, and dancing.  Bluebird Corner became a magical world that within the time and space of the performance, community members experienced the freedom, fun, and joy of creative expression.

In October of 2016, Atticus began collaborating with multi-media artist, illustrator, and queer fashion icon, Parisa Parnian, to make Bluebird Corner, the children’s book, a reality.  Over the next 2 years, page-by-page, bird-by-bird, a full-color, jump-off-the-page illustrated picture book was created.  The interesting side-effect of working on this book with Parisa was that Atticus noticed that no matter how stressed, sad, or upset they were, that while dwelling in the pages of Bluebird Corner, they instantly felt happier and calm.  

Atticus had experienced severe emotional trauma during and after the sudden death of their mother in 2016, and they were amazed how working on the book soothed them.  It was then that they realized that this book was more than a poetry picture book.  It was the framework for a Wellness Arts curriculum that could teach children and adults how to self-soothe during difficult times.

For your own copy of Bluebird Corner, please click here.  For more information on how to bring Bluebird Corner Flight School, a Wellness Arts curriculum to your school, please contact us here.  

Artist credits (top to bottom): Truth by Jessica Concepcion, Blue-bellied Crown Roller by Grimaldi, Pineapple Symphony by Jeff Slim.