I have not read many picture books as such but my recent stumbling upon an illustrated fairy tale has piqued my interest in picture books. These books are not only read for their story but also for the pictures/illustrations they contain inside. I decided to review the book just for its beautiful cover but what it contains inside is even more promising.
It was his first day at school and he fell in love. ‘The day I became a bird’ had me since the beginning.
Cover page
The cover page consists of a sketch of a bird with large eyes and slender feet. The title ‘the day I became a bird’ holds a place on top right corner of the book making the bird on the cover the focus. The back cover too has a tiny bird sitting on the football which is meaningful to the story. The book itself is a well thought out product. The story begins with the boy wanting to turn into a bird and ends with the two characters uniting. The illustrations are suggestive and not smothering. The colors are kept visually subtle. The typography compliments the illustrations.
One of he best covers I have come across this year.
Characters
It is a story of a boy who falls in love with a girl on the first day of his school. He is very simple and creative. The innocence in the character makes him even more appealing. His thoughts, as put across by the author, are lyrical. He also possesses the goodness of appreciating a person for her kindness which is a sweet trait.
Coming to her lovely lady, Sylvia is a girl obsessed with birds.
There are birds on her pants and dresses.
She wears bird barrettes in her hair.
She draws birds in her notebooks and folders.
And when she speaks her voice sounds like a birdsong.’
Content
The story is of a schoolboy who falls in love on his first day of school and craves for attention of his girl. During the course of time he understands her interest in birds and starts seeing them differently. All for the love he possesses for her.
It is a story of recognizing the love you posses for a person and putting efforts in understanding her likes and dislikes. The book also gives a message of kindness and internal beauty. It is a beautiful, innocent story told with some great messages.The story and the illustrations compliment each other. The story is as much in the words as it is in the sketches.
Language
The language is quite simple. Author possesses an innocence in the narration. It is also lyrical at times when the boy describes the girl. The entire narrative is lingering sweet.
Good points
The cover page is beautiful. One of the best I have seen this year. The characters are quite innovative and the portrayal, simplistic. The content is short and sweet, flavor added by the author with narration.
Bad points
The story ended quick. A sweet story like this leaves you wishing there was more.
Overall
This book is a good product. The story can be read over and over again.
Who do I recommend this to?
This book is for those who like to read beautiful books. Those who appreciate short and sweet stories are also going to love this one.
Quotable quotes
I don’t want to take my costume off - I am a bird.
The worst is when it rains. I smell like wet dog.
My toy cars, soccer and all the rest don’t seem important.
And I don’t look at birds the same way I did before.
I received an ARC of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. The review is my own, entirely uninfluenced.