Feathers, written by Phil Cummings and illustrated by Phil Lesnie. Scholastic, 2018. $14.99 ages 6 and up

"It flew over a crumbled
village where a small boy
sheltered, hoping the earth
would never quake again.
The sandpiper's shadow
swept across the rubble
of a boy's once-safe home.
The boy spied a falling
feather ... spinning and
drifting. He climbed ... "

Our world is harsh for far too many people. In places far and near, they are faced with difficulty and too often, cruelty. For many, there is little to inspire hope or promise for better times ahead. For those who live under threat from oppressive governments, who deal with the long-lasting effects of devastating weather events that have changed their lives forever, and whose bad fortune has nothing to do with their own actions, this is a story that sheds a tiny ray of hope for better days.

The sandpiper knows it is time to find a warm place, the breeding grounds that are its destination every year. It's flight is not without incident. As it flies it drops beautiful feathers in places where their beauty is needed. It does not know the borders it is crossing, or the destruction it is passing
below.

The first feather lands amid the devastation of an earthquake, where a young boy catches it as it falls and places it against his cheek. The next feather falls in the path of a young girl carrying her brother on her shoulders as she and her family walk toward refuge and a better life far from the war that ravages her country. It tickles her brother's nose and makes him laugh.

"The bird left the laughter behind.
There was still such a long way to go.
It headed into a dark storm
of deafening thunder
wild wind
and rain."

As it emerges from the clouds, the land below is engulfed in water. The third feather falls upon that water. A mother takes it and makes a tiny boat for her terrified children. Nearing its destination, the final feather falls toward Mia who catches it, showing her dad how truly lucky she is! The nesting pond is close by.

Beautifully written, and perfectly illustrated with detailed, contrasting images that shine with light and hope, this is a book that should be shared in every classroom and library.