Two Green Birds, written and illustrated by Geraldo Valerio. Groundwood, 2023. $14.99 ages 7 and up

 

"First I removed the wet bread. Then I placed
the new food in. 
We hung the cage back in the guava tree. 
We watched the birds for a while. They 
stared at us the whole time, never going to the 
bottom of the cage to eat. 
The parakeets just sat on their perch, 
watching." 

Based on memories from his home country, Mr. Valerio tells a fascinating story of a grandmother and grandchild caring for two new birds, and doing their best to create conditions that make them feel more comfortable. 

Francisco is delighted to see the wild parakeets, and to learn about them. They are beautiful, but they eat none of the foods on offer: polenta, crackers, collard greens, or birdseed from the pet store. They are fearful, keeping to themselves. They huddle together and have no response to any of the overtures the boy and his grandmother make toward them. What is the problem? 

Pet store visits offer a chance to see other parakeets. They are happy and very noisy. More seeds and a bigger cage change nothing. The birds remain fearful, and are not interested in the food provided. As the days pass filled with normal activities for grandmother and grandson, the two become more and more concerned about the birds. 

It isn't until a flock of wild parakeets lands in the guava tree that their parakeets finally respond - they scream back and forth to each other until the flock leaves. The caged parakeets return to cowering and quivering at the back of their cage. When the flock returns, the screaming begins again. Francisco knows what he has to do. He opens the cage, allowing their birds the freedom of flight. It leads to a perfect ending. 

"Grandma and I emptied the seeds from the 
food dispenser. We threw away the pieces of 
orange, the collard greens and the water. We 
cleaned the cage and put it in the sewing room.
We went back to the garden. 
There is always a lot of work to do in a garden."

The text of this family story is a feast for the senses. In short chapters just right for emerging readers, it offers a look at a close relationship between the generations and a shared concern for wild creatures. The illustrations shimmer with the colors of nature.