"I love their songs
and the way they fly.
The brisk wingbeat of
the sharp-shinned hawk,
the hovering kestrel,
and my favorite bird of all,
the high-soaring
bald eagle."
Ever since I read Sarah Plain and Tall in 1986, I have collected the wondrous family stories that Patricia MacLachlan continues to write. She has such a gift for tugging at heartstrings with characters driven by love and empathy for others.
In this newest book, we meet Grandfather whose love of watching birds is an inspiration to his grandchildren. Grandfather provides binoculars to his two older grandchildren so that they can learn to loves birds, too. Emma is the narrator of this fine story; she notes that younger brother Milo is a quiet child who spends his time listening to what his grandfather has to teach, and seeing exactly what his grandfather sees.
"Milo was a listener, He heard how
Grandfather loved the look of birds,
their beaks and wings."
Milo and Grandfather are witness to a chickadee hurting itself when it flies into a window. Together, they care for the tiny bird until it is rehabilitated and ready to fly again. As the old man loses his sight, he counts on both Milo and his nurse to help him by describing the birds at the feeder, and listening to their songs.
On the day Grandfather dies, Milo calls the family outside to see the bald eagle that slowly comes closer as they watch. Quiet Milo realizes the importance of the moment.
"Grandfather got his wish!!" called Milo.
"He sees the sky.
He sees the world.
He sees us!
Grandfather flies!"
Phenomenal storytelling, once again. Filled with the gentle kindness and family love that so often defines her stories, this is a book to be savored and shared. Using watercolor, pastel and graphite, Chris Sheban perfectly matches the beauty of its message, and the wonder of the setting where birds soar high for all to see. The birds are wondrous!
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