REVIEW: The Lion And The Bird By Marianne Dubuc

BOOK NAME: THE LION AND THE BIRD

AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR: MARIANNE DUBUC

PAGES: 64

PUBLISHER: PJ LIBRARY

AGE RECOMMENDED: 3.5+

One autumn day lion found an injured bird in his garden. The bird was among the flocks who were migrating to a warmer place for the winter. The lion nursed the injured bird’s wings and both of them became friends. They enjoyed staying together in the winter and together their friendship grew warmer each day. When the spring returns, the bird’s flock returns and the bird wants to join with the family. The lion is heartbroken and spent the rest of the summer alone. The autumn returns and the lion sees the flock of birds in the sky. Will his friend return?

Lion found a wounded bird in the farm — Lion found a wounded bird on the farm

Lion took the bird to the farm as other birds flew away — The lion took the bird to the farm as other birds flew away

The bird and the lion spent their winter together

Winter doesn't feel cold when we stay with a friend — Winter doesn’t feel cold when we stay with a friend

It was spring and the bird left with other birds

Lion patted himself saying: life is like that sometimes — Lion patted himself, saying: life is like that sometimes

Lion's garden borne fruits — Lion’s garden bears fruits

Lion had a surprise during an autumn day — The lion had a surprise during an autumn day

Lion say a flock of birds in the sky and secretly wished for his friend — The lion saw a flock of birds in the sky and secretly wished for his friend

Lion and the bird said, together they can stay warm for this winter. — Lion and the bird said together they can stay warm for this winter.

A beautiful story that emphasis on friendship, empathy, letting go of things we care about the most and how to come out of loneliness. A very simple story, but Marianne Dubuc’s illustrations are outstanding and turned the simple story into the best one.

Each page is filled with tiny details of the bird and the lion and most pages are wordless. The quietness of the text creates space and time to really experience the passing of the seasons and the heartache Lion feels at Bird’s absence. Love the contrast created by the illustrator where the pages are bright when the bird was around the lion and the pages were white/dull when the bird returned to be with his flocks. That’s really a clever interpretation by the illustrator and I enjoyed the contrast bit more.

A thoughtful book to remind a child when they have to say a painful goodbye to their friend/grandparents/caretaker/parents and they can see them only a bit late, like the bird. Goodbyes are sad, but acceptance is all we need to move on.

Nathan lost his grandfather last week and it was painful for us when he asks us where did he go and will he return. I am planning to use the context of this book to say his grandfather has gone to be with Jesus and his grandfather will return when Jesus returns from heaven. This context is way too big for a three-year-old kid, but I will try my best to help him to come out of his grief.

I recommend this lovely picture book to your child’s home library.

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