A grandmother and grandchild nurse an injured bird together in this touching story about caring for all creatures, the wonder of nature, and letting go
On a snowy day, a grandmother and grandchild find an injured bird. They take it home and care for it until it can fly around the living room. It is fantastic—just like everything at Abuela’s house! But a fantastic moment is also bittersweet, for the little bird’s recovery means that it’s time to let it fly free. Drawing inspiration from a formative childhood experience, Blanca Gómez crafts a deceptively simple story that is morally and emotionally resonant and is brimming with love, wonder, and a deep respect for the natural world.
Praise
**STARRED REVIEW**Kirkus Reviews
"Spanish author/illustrator Gómez’s semiautobiographical tribute to her own abuela is a charming window into an idyllic childhood infused with love for all living things. This little gem elicits a sense of deep-seated comfort and refuge for these uncertain times."
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**STARRED REVIEW**Publishers Weekly
"A loving intergenerational relationship between a light brown–skinned narrator and their abuela is the heartening center of this tender narrative. A refreshing ending imparts a message of the significance of natural preservation and respecting animals’ agency."
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"Spare, simple, first-person text, narrated from the child’s point of view, leaves room for the sweet, collagelike illustrations to pull readers’ attention into the story and hold them in this magical space. The illustrations exude the warmth and coziness of a dear relationship between a young child and loving caregiver, and this cherished relationship is enhanced by the new friend they make together."The Horn Book Magazine
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"The concise, well-worded text sets the tone and tells the story, while leaving plenty of space for the expressive digital illustrations to work their magic. Viewers can feel the chill in the winter-walk scenes and the brightness when spring arrives, but the warmth between the child and her grandmother is evident throughout the book."Booklist
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