Bird by Zetta Elliott, illustrated by Shadra Strickland.

A picture book done in free verse, this book tells the story of living with an addict through a child’s eyes.  Bird loves to draw, he captures many pieces of his life in the city.  In order to understand the changes in his life, he draws.  As Bird struggles to understand his brother’s drug addiction, he is surrounded by a loving family and a surrogate grandfather, Uncle Son.  This sober look at drug addiction is made tangible and real through the engaging verse the book is written in.  The poetry lifts this story to another level, capturing with imagery the confusion of Bird’s life.

Strickland’s illustrations play upon the darkness and the light that is part of the poetry.  She also uses birds in many of the pictures further tying the poetry and illustrations together.  The incorporation of Bird’s pencil drawings works really well, making the book a testament to the power of art, expression and creativity.

His brother’s addiction is handled with delicacy and no sudden revelations, just a steady growing understanding of the situation.  This makes it a great book to use with children who may have varying levels of understanding of addiction. 

A book that could have been grim and bleak, this book is raised above that by its powerful poetry and lovely illustrations, just as Bird is raised above his situation through his art.  Appropriate for ages 6-10.

Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep by Susan Lendroth, illustrated by Raul Allen.

Set in nineteenth-century Cape Cod, this story is about a parent leaving for a very long time, a year, on a voyage overseas.  Through gently rhyming verse, a young girl tells the story of her father traveling away from home while her infant brother develops and grows.  Seasons change, the baby grows, but she and her mother continue to think of her father.  Modern readers will enjoy this timeless tale whose feelings and emotions perfectly speak for any child who is missing a parent or loved one.

Lendroth is very skilled, creating poetry that while rhyming does not become sing-song or maudlin.  Rather the poetry lends a gentle gait to the book and captures the emotions well.  The crowning glory of the book are the illustrations which are luminous, large and speak volumes all on their own.  Allen’s art recalls nineteenth century children’s books often, but also moves beyond that to beckon us in.  A lovely tribute to books of the time while still maintaining an individual feel.

Recommended for reading quietly with children and having a discussion about feelings, this is not the book for a rowdy preschool story time or unit.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.