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antlersantlers's review
2.0
I wasn't particularly wowed by this, even though I love birds and birding. The illustrations are bold, but that combined with the episodic nature of the wordless story made some parts a bit hard to follow.
wolfiegrrrl's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
The art style creates a beautiful atmosphere very reminiscent of a childhood memory, which is fitting for this story. I especially loved how the lights of the ambulance were depicted as red circles across the panels. It's a great way of representing the confusion of being woken up by the flashing red lights in the middle of the night. Saanvi finding the playing card and clutching it to her chest as the feelings finally catch up with her was another standout moment. It hit close to home for me, as I'm sure it would for anyone who has lost someone they love and struggled through the grieving process. Seeing her find comfort in the birds and the activities she did together with Helen was a very sweet ending to the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Grief
cweichel's review
5.0
Anyone who thinks wordless books are simple, should be given a copy of this wordless graphic novel. I've now read it three times and am pretty sure I will get more out of it if I spend more time with it. It's an emotional roller coaster.
It's about the relationship between the oldest and youngest generations. I wondered who Helen was until I read the back cover where it explains that this is the story of a friendship between Saanvi and her elderly neighbour Helen. It's a glorious bonding. They laugh, play games, and read together. Helen introduces Saanvi to the world of birds. Together they build bird houses and bird feeders. They watch eggs hatch and chicks grow. And then, the inevitable happens, Helen dies. But just like in real life, the world goes on. Big changes are in store for Saanvi as she grieves for her friend, grows up, and takes on the mantle of bird minder herself.
I would love to know how Sara Cassidy and Sophie Casson worked on this together. Casson's art has a vintage feel to it that isn't captured on the cover. It's line drawings filled in with mostly yellow, blue, red and green. It is spectacular. The image of Saanvi looking out her windows at the ambulance in the night gives me shivers just thinking about it.
Don't miss this.
It's about the relationship between the oldest and youngest generations. I wondered who Helen was until I read the back cover where it explains that this is the story of a friendship between Saanvi and her elderly neighbour Helen. It's a glorious bonding. They laugh, play games, and read together. Helen introduces Saanvi to the world of birds. Together they build bird houses and bird feeders. They watch eggs hatch and chicks grow. And then, the inevitable happens, Helen dies. But just like in real life, the world goes on. Big changes are in store for Saanvi as she grieves for her friend, grows up, and takes on the mantle of bird minder herself.
I would love to know how Sara Cassidy and Sophie Casson worked on this together. Casson's art has a vintage feel to it that isn't captured on the cover. It's line drawings filled in with mostly yellow, blue, red and green. It is spectacular. The image of Saanvi looking out her windows at the ambulance in the night gives me shivers just thinking about it.
Don't miss this.
msjones's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautiful picture book that has zero text but does a great job describing the story of Helen and her kid neighbor Saanvi. it tells the story of the two of them working together and hanging out caring for the birds and the natural elements around them but one day something happens to Helen so she has to figure out how to take care of the animals herself.
tinkeringlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
Very sweet, still think this is more for the grownups than the kids .
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