The Seattle Times has a piece on author George Shannon who talks about the importance of sound in a book.  Shannon’s goal is to create books that are fun, filled with word play and free them to be creative.  This approach is very evident in his books White Is for Blueberry and Busy in the Garden.  If you haven’t read any Shannon, this is the time to try him out.   His poetry dances and his books create wonder.

The True Story of Stellina by Matteo Pericoli is a magical true story.  Holly, Pericoli’s wife, found a tiny baby finch in the middle of Manhattan.  She waited for the mother finch to return, but it didn’t.  So she took the baby bird home and raised it by hand.  The charm of the story is the details of how Holly took care of Stellina and how their friendship grew. 

This is another great nonfiction picture book that reads more like fiction.  It is lovingly done and lovely to read.  Share this aloud with a group, or with someone in your lap, it is sure to create discussion.