Every so often I come across a picture book that is truly universal in nature because the story is relevant for everyone. Today's book is just such a title, and I intend to keep it on hand for those days when I am in a hurry to fly.
Pirkko Vainig
Picture Book
Ages 6 and up
Clavis, 2009, 978-1605370323
When we come into the world, each one of us has to figure
out how we want to face life’s challenges. Often figuring this out is a
complicated business that takes time.
In this
extraordinary book the author explores the idea that the challenges that we
face all the way through life are part of a grand journey. In her artwork she follows
what a little baby bird does after it comes out if its egg. We see scenes from
the little bird’s life, scenes that are often sweetly funny. The text that
accompanies these scenes introduces ideas that are universal in nature.
As we accompany
the little bird we see how events in our past get in our way, preventing us
“from seeing where we are going.” Sometimes we fall down, which can be uncomfortable,
but it can also be a good thing. There are those “happy moments” that are so
wonderful that they “make our feet feel like flowers.”
Just like the
little bird, whose little flappy wings are not big enough for flight, we have
to accept that “Having wings does not necessarily mean we can fly…yet!” We have
a lot of learning to do before we can soar, and that is perfectly all right.
With wonderfully
minimal illustrations and words of wisdom that are timeless, this is a book
readers of all ages will be able to appreciate.
1 comment:
It seems a really great book! Can you tell me wether the text is simple or difficult? I use picture books to teach English as a second language to children aged 5 to 11 so I am always looking for books with a simple text as my students are all beginners.
Michela
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