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Birdsong

By Julie Flett
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A tender, luminous portrait of art, nature, and intergenerational connection. When a young girl moves from the countryside to a small town, she feels lonely and out of place until she meets an elderly woman next door who shares her love of arts and crafts. Together, they navigate the changing seasons and the challenges of failing health, finding fulfilment in their friendship and shared passions. Julie Flett's textured illustrations of birds, flowers, and landscapes bring warmth to this powerful story. A brief glossary of Cree-Metis words included enriches the narrative.
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Format: Hardback
$4900

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for children and families seeking a heartfelt story about friendship, creativity, and cultural connection. Particularly suited for readers interested in intergenerational relationships and Indigenous perspectives.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A Publishers Weekly best picture book of 2019! A CBC Best Book of 2019! A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year! A Horn Book Fanfare Best Picture Book of 2019! A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2019! A Quill & Quire Kids Books of the Year! SHORTLISTED for the 2019 Governor General's Literary Award! A Globe and Mail top 100 books of 2019!

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Publishers Weekly best picture book of 2019!
A CBC Best Book of 2019!
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year!
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Picture Book of 2019!
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2019!
Quill & Quire Kids Books of the Year!
SHORTLISTED for the 2019 Governor General's Literary Award!
A Globe and Mail top 100 books of 2019!

A tender, luminous portrait of art, nature, and connecting across generations.

When a young girl moves from the country to a small town, she feels lonely and out of place. But soon she meets an elderly woman next door, who shares her love of arts and crafts. Can the girl navigate the changing seasons and failing health of her new friend? Acclaimed author and artist Julie Flett's textured images of birds, flowers, art, and landscapes bring vibrancy and warmth to this powerful story, which highlights the fulfilment of intergenerational relationships and shared passions.

A brief glossary and pronunciation guide to Cree-Metis words that appear in the text is provided on the copyright page.

Birdsong shows young readers how new friends can sometimes ease them; that this friendship is an intergenerational one between fellow artists is an especially sweet touch. Emotionally stunning.' - Kirkus Reviews

Flett's subtle, sensitive story delicately traces filaments of growth and loss through intergenerational friendship, art making, and changing moons and seasons. Cree-Metis words (defined in a small glossary) add an intimate layer of identity to the child's lustrous narration, which shines against the spare beauty of rich illustrations by Flett.' - Publishers Weekly

Simple and profound, this tender story is a reminder that finding a new friend can make a new place feel like home. Highly recommended for purchase.' - School Library Journal

Birdsong is about embracing the many natural cycles that run through our lives.' - Quill & Quire (Starred Review)

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Kirkus Reviews praises the book as "emotionally stunning," highlighting the special intergenerational friendship between fellow artists. Publishers Weekly calls it a "subtle, sensitive story" that traces growth and loss through friendship and art, enhanced by Cree-Metis language. School Library Journal describes it as "simple and profound," a tender reminder that new friendships can help make a place feel like home. The book has earned multiple honours including an American Indian Youth Literature Honor and numerous starred reviews.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781771644730

Publisher: Greystone Books,Canada

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 26 March 2020

Country: Canada

Imprint: Greystone Books,Canada

Illustration: Color illustrations throughout

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Julie Flett

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 254.0mm

Height: 254.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 48

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Julie Flett Young Adult

About the Author

JULIE FLETTis a Cree-Metis author, illustrator, and artist who has received numerous awards for her books, including the New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book Award, two Governor General's Awards, the American Indian Youth Literature Award, and the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. Her books have been selected for Best of the Year lists by dozens of media outlets, including The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, The Horn Book, School Library Journal, The Globe and Mail, and Kirkus Reviews. Her critically acclaimed picture books We All Play, and Still This Love Goes On (with Buffy Sainte-Marie) are also published by Greystone Kids. Flett lives in Victoria, Canada.

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