8th April every year is Draw A Bird Day. It has rather bittersweet origins. During the Second World War, Dorie Cooper’s uncle was wounded, and when she visited him in hospital, she asked him to draw her a bird. He drew a robin, which, in that brutal honesty only kids can bestow, she deemed not very good, but she loved it anyway. The other soldiers found her amusing, and so, each time she visited, they all had a drawing contest to draw the best bird. The hospital was soon filled with bird drawings, which cheered up the place.

Three years later, Dorie died by car accident, and all the soldiers drew her a final picture. 8th April was her birthday, and the day has come to be a symbol of hope and finding joy in the little things. Dore’s uncle might not have been a good drawer, but skill or talent isn’t really the point. Drawing can have therapeutic effects, and birds are a great source of cheer. That’s why I make birds, and why I keep my sketchbooks.

So I encourage you to have a doodle, or participate in another activity that brings you joy or peace. Drawing isn’t for everyone, as I think sometimes perfectionism can get in the way, but I think there is something rather freeing in having a drawing go wrong, scribbling over it, and persevering anyway. There’s no pressure to share your doodles for a critique (though if you want to share with me, feel very welcome!) Here’s a page from my sketchbook about Hoopoes. You may notice I enjoy writing facts about them as much as the doodling! At this point, I’m not sure if I fill sketchbooks or encyclopaedias!