"He put the bird in his old playpen.
Once, long ago, before his mother
had gone to the city to work, the
playpen had kept him safe while
she cooked and cleaned. His
mother had never come back -
but it would keep the albatross
safe, all the same."
Fishing with his father and uncle, Javier is helping with the lines. He is alarmed to see that an albatross is hooked to a line. Uncle Felipe frees it, and throws it in a corner of the boat. Their work continues. Once done, Javier checks on the bird and finds that it is alive. He wraps it up and hides it. Once back home, his father and uncle are off to sell their catch, allowing Javier the chance to take his own catch home with him. He finds it a safe place, and goes off to find what he needs to keep it safe and healthy.
Village friends offer the help needed ... ointment, a nest, and small fish to feed it. The two get along fine until Javier's father discovers their secret. While he wants it gone, Javier makes a case for keeping it until it can fly. Two weeks is his father's ultimatum. Javier is able to voice his concern for the bird to his uncle, telling him that it reminds him of his mother who has left them and not come back.
The albatross recovers; yet, she shows no sign of wanting to fly. It worries Javier. Returning home with more fish to feed her, he finds her gone. Worse ...his father has sold her! Furious, Javier heads off to recapture his beloved bird and head for the top of the cliff. There, the wind is strong and will provide momentum for the bird. As the two drop over the cliff's edge, Javier's father watches in horror. The heartwarming ending feels real and enlightening.
Outstanding watercolour artwork by Salvatore Rubbino places readers right in the midst of this emotional book, allowing them to feel and see the drama that tells the story of a family in need of healing.
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