In the big city, no one saw the pigeon fall and land, wounded on the sidewalk. "No one looked down . . . except Will." Amid the muted-toned clothing of adult citygoers, we see the little boy, a bright spot on a gray day, in his red coat and blue pants. He approaches the fallen bird with the broken wing. In a stunning double-page close-up illustration, he lifts up that bird with such tenderness and compassion, it will pull at your heart. Turn to the next page to show all the people walking past, caught up in their own lives, and Will's mother rushing over to help. She wraps the bird in her own scarf, while Will picks up one stray feather to carry, and they head down the steps into the subway. "A loose feather can't be put back," says the spare text, "but a broken wing can sometimes heal." Back home, Will and his parents wrap the wing in gauze, line a box with newspapers as a temporary nest, and wait and hope for the pigeon to get better.
THEMES: ANIMALS. EASY READERS.
In the big city, no one saw the pigeon fall and land, wounded on the sidewalk. "No one looked down . . . except Will." Amid the muted-toned clothing of adult citygoers, we see the little boy, a bright spot on a gray day, in his red coat and blue pants. He approaches the fallen bird with the broken wing. In a stunning double-page close-up illustration, he lifts up that bird with such tenderness and compassion, it will pull at your heart. Turn to the next page to show all the people walking past, caught up in their own lives, and Will's mother rushing over to help. She wraps the bird in her own scarf, while Will picks up one stray feather to carry, and they head down the steps into the subway. "A loose feather can't be put back," says the spare text, "but a broken wing can sometimes heal." Back home, Will and his parents wrap the wing in gauze, line a box with newspapers as a temporary nest, and wait and hope for the pigeon to get better.
In just 80 words (seven sentences) and the tenderest watercolors, this book has us soaring with the pigeon when Will releases him back into the air on the last page. On the book flap, Graham writes, "In troubled times, when many of us are losing contact with the natural world, I wanted to show that there is still hope in a coming generation of children who have curiosity and empathy with the world around them, and that care and attention can sometimes fix broken wings." That's a mighty fine and worthy sentiment. So many books we read to children are glib and funny and fun, which is just fine, most of the time. This one, though, will get them thinking and talking about our responsibilities for our own lives and for the world at large, worthy sentiments generated by one simple picture book. Also, share The True Story of Stellina that recounts how the author/illustrator's wife, Polly, rescued a baby finch in New York City and cared for it for eight years. And if you need a big belly laugh afterwards, read Mo Willems's Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.
THEMES: ANIMALS. EASY READERS.
