Birdsong
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Birdsong, by award-wining Cree-Métis author-illustrator Julie Flett, is a gentle story that follows the journey of a young Cree girl named Katherena through the seasons, as she adjusts to a new home and makes friends with her older neighbor.
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What's the Story?
BIRDSONG starts with a young Cree girl, Katherena, getting ready to move out of her house in the city by the sea to move with her mom and dog to a new house in the country. She's sad to leave. But after she moves in, she meets her neighbor, an older woman named Agnes, who's an artist, and they become friends. They draw together and work in the garden together, which helps Katherena feel less alone.
Is It Any Good?
This beautifully illustrated story of a year of seasons and new friendship is a gentle story of change. Birdsong is quiet in tone but powerful in emotional depth as we see the meaningful relationship between a young girl and an older woman next door blossom and grow. With spare, poetic language and lovely images, it conveys a strong message of personal growth and compassion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Birdsong shows the seasons. What changes in the art? What's diffrerent about the birds? The trees? The moon?
How do you like the friendship between Katherena and her neighbor Agnes? What do they have in common, despite their different ages?
Do you have any friends who are much older than you? What might you like about having an older person as a friend?
Have you ever moved to a new place and had to get used to a new home and neighbors? How did that feel?
Book Details
- Author: Julie Flett
- Illustrator: Julie Flett
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Arts and Dance, Great Girl Role Models, Science and Nature
- Character Strengths: Communication, Compassion, Gratitude
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Greystone Kids
- Publication date: October 8, 2019
- Number of pages: 48
- Available on: Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: October 27, 2022
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