WHEN GRANDFATHER FLEW

A child believes a cherished relative has returned after death in the form of the man’s favorite bird.

Emma recounts becoming, along with older brother Aidan, an avid bird-watcher under their beloved grandfather’s tutelage. However, it’s Milo, the family’s youngest, who’s most attuned to Grandfather and his keen understanding of birds. Milo just gets Grandfather’s deep respect for his favorite bird, the bald eagle, and its command of the skies. When Grandfather loses his eyesight, his grandchildren and nurse help him continue with his hobby, describing birds they see while he names them. Then tragedy occurs. Returning from school one day, the children realize Grandfather’s gone. Suddenly, instinctively, Milo runs outdoors, calling to his parents and siblings, and breathlessly points to an eagle flying overhead, observing all it surveys—including the family. “Grandfather flies!” Milo shouts, then watches in awe as it flies away. This poignant, tender tale, economically told, brims with love and kindness, not to mention respect—for elders and for nature—and is sure to evoke empathy among readers and listeners. Kids who’ve lost close family members may feel reassured that memories of their loved ones will persist in a sweet manner. The gentle, textured illustrations, created with watercolors, pastels, and pencil, are lovely, depicting the various birds named herein with colorful majesty. All family members have pale skin. Endpapers include grayscale sketches of the seven birds named in the story.

Warm, calming, affectionate, quietly soaring.