Little Bird
Little Bird
Written by Germano Zullo
Illustrated by Albertine
Translated from French by Claudia Zoe Bedrick
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of 2012
A man drives his truck up to a cliff's edge. Unable to go any further, he opens the back door of his truck and a flock of birds flies out, but, as the man soon discovers, a small timid bird remains. Surprised and delighted, the man acts kindly towards the bird and an intimacy develops. After lunch, the man tries to show the bird that he should fly off and join his friends. The man's comic attempt at flight deepens the encounter between these two very different creatures. Soon the bird flies off and the man drives away, but in a surprise twist the bird and his friends return, and in a starkly lyrical moment we see them all experience something entirely new.
ISBN: 978-1-59270-118-6
8.38" (W) x 8.38" (H) • 72 pages • HCJ
AWARDS AND REVIEWS
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of 2012
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of 2013
Winner of the 2011 Prix des Sorcieres (French equivalent of the Caldecott Award)
★ "Shimmering, color-saturated landscapes and a message about cherishing small things make this English-language debut by a Swiss team an unexpected treasure." —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly
★ "Uplifting in more ways than one, this prizewinning import suggests that little things can change lives—and perhaps even the world." —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews
"Children's picture books—the best of them, at least—have this magical quality of speaking to young hearts with expressive simplicity, but also engaging grown-up minds with subtle reflections on the human condition. Such is the case of Little Bird (public library) by Swiss author-illustrator duo Germano Zullo and Albertine, published by the wonderful Enchanted Lion Books. Illustrated in Albertine's signature style of soft, colorful minimalism, this little gem is like a beautiful silent film, only in vibrant hues and on paper." —Maria Popova, Brain Pickings
"An impressive picture book that is modern, fresh and will have readers looking for tiny treasures in their lives too." —Tasha Saecker, Waking Brain Cells
"I'm a big fan of Brooklyn-based publishing company Enchanted Lion [...] they always have excellent taste in artists and unique storytellers. Their latest release, a prizewinning Swiss import [Little Bird], is no exception." —Ben Partridge, Apartment Therapy
"It's high time we here in the U.S. started paying better attention to books published internationally. Take for instance, Little Bird, winner of the 2011 Prix Sorciéres for illustration (the French Caldecott). Yes, the book is visually stunning. It's clear why it won an award for illustrations. But it's a great story, too. About the small things in life. About keeping your eyes open for the little ways that make every day different, unique, and a day to be treasured." —Mary Lee Hahn, A Year of Reading
“Such a sweet book highlighting how even the tiniest of things can create great change. Lovely illustrations paired with a lyrical story that will reach in and touch your heart.”—Porter Square Books via Literary Hub