MY BEAUTIFUL BIRDS by Suzanne Del Rizzo

I'm continuing with my "bird theme" for the month of March. I've noticed it's difficult to narrow down my favourite bird-related picture books. There are so many of them! I spent a long time studying the stunning illustrations in this one. 

Summary from the publisher:

Behind Sami, the Syrian skyline is full of smoke. The boy follows his family and all his neighbours in a long line, as they trudge through the sands and hills to escape the bombs that have destroyed their homes. But all Sami can think of is his pet pigeons—will they escape too? When they reach a refugee camp and are safe at last, everyone settles into the tent city. But though the children start to play and go to school again, Sami can’t join in. When he is given paper and paint, all he can do is smear his painting with black. He can’t forget his birds and what his family has left behind.

One day a canary, a dove, and a rose finch fly into the camp. They flutter around Sami and settle on his outstretched arms. For Sami it is one step in a long healing process at last.

My Beautiful Birds was written and illustrated by Suzanne Del Rizzo. It was published by Pajama Press in 2017.

Opening:

The ground rumbles beneath my slippers as I walk.

My thoughts as a writer:

The story is told in a way that helps younger children connect to the feelings of sadness and fear of the refugee experience.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful, reminding me of many amazing sunsets and cloud-filled skies I have experienced.

If I close my eyes, sometimes I can see my birds, and

sometimes I daydream that I hear them.

My thoughts as an educator:

This book is a great way to introduce or deepen an understanding of the refugee experience at the primary level. Some important aspects of this story for me were the strong sense of community through community members helping each other and the subtle hint of friendship at the end. It would be interesting to read this story along with Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey by Magriet Ruurs & Nizar Ali Badr and compare the stories.

Ages: 5 and up

Grades: K and up

Themes: refugees, birds, imagination, community

Activities:

Use modeling clay to create your own picture. Try blending clay and adding textures like the illustrator did for the illustrations in this story.

Research: What is your favorite kind of bird? What is special about it?

Discuss: What would you take if you had to leave your home forever? Draw a picture of your most important things.

Watch the book trailer: 

WALK WITH ME by Jairo Buitrago & Rafael Yockteng

A sad, disturbing but important book to read for adults as well as children.

Summary from the publisher:

A simple, imaginative story depicting the complex emotional reality of a girl whose father no longer lives at home.

The girl conjures up an imaginary companion — a lion — who will join her on the long walk home from school. He will help her to pick up her baby brother from daycare and shop at the store (which has cut off the family’s credit), and he’ll keep her company all along the way until she is safely home. He will always come back when she needs him, unlike her father whom she sees only in a photograph — a photograph in which he clearly resembles a lion.

Walk With Me was written by Jairo Buitrago and illustrated by Rafael Yockteng. It was published in 2017 by Groundwood Books.

Opening:

Keep me company on the way home,

then I can have someone to talk to so I don’t fall asleep

on the long walk out of the city.

My Thoughts as a Writer:

A nice example of a simple text that provides a glimpse of a child who imagines as lion as her companion to help her feel safe. A lovely way to show a difficult life that may resonate with many young children.

My Thoughts as a Teacher:

This story shows the reality of life for some children and a way to cope through imagination. There is a disturbing scene that depicts a man lying on the ground and a woman screaming, which may require a preview by the teacher and some thinking about how to respond to student discussion. Students may need guidance to make a connection between the picture with her father at the end and the lion that keeps her safe. A important book for a teacher's collection.

Ages: 5 - 12

Grades: K – Grade 5

Themes: emotions, hardship, family

Activities:

If you were to have an imaginary animal to help you through your daily life, which animal would you choose? Paint a picture of your animal.