Feather

Each bird takes center stage on the double-page spreads, a marvel of extravagant pattern against solid, vibrant backgrounds ... [A] Zen exploration of belonging and groundedness ... further enhanced by a sensitive translation and pithy, philosophical introductions by both creators--masterful storytelling.

"Am I yours?" a feather asks each bird she meets. She's searching for the one who dropped her: "If I belonged to a bird, I could fly even higher!" Mello--like Cao, a recent winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award--traces the balletic curves of bird forms: a heron's neck ("You aren't mine," the heron says), the outstretched wings of geese (they ignore Feather), the tail of a peacock ("Perhaps you haven't looked carefully enough"). A skylark grants Feather's wish and carries her aloft, then meets a dreadful fate in the talons of a hawk: "Feather heard the sound of a scream in the air." Feather's heritage, she discovers, is less grand than she imagined--but it's her own. Mello's artwork offers countless delights: the plumage of the birds, contrasting backdrops that make the colors blaze, and liberal use of empty space. Cao's story has the timeless quality of a traditional folk tale (and the brutality of one, with its offstage murder), and it speaks to the way that desires have consequences that can't be calculated. It's not comfort Feather's search offers, but truth and beauty. Ages 3-7. (Oct.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--Wenxuan has created a picture book that tells the hopeful tale of a single feather as it embarks on a journey to find out where it came from and where it belongs. As a feather, it travels on the wind without a particular direction, but it hopes to discover a personal connection to the world. Along the way, the feather meets many different birds and asks, "Do I belong to you?" Again and again it is rebuffed by kingfisher, magpie, heron, and others, but never loses hope. Finally, the realization that there may never be an answer is calmly accepted as it meets its fate in the talons of a hawk. Wenxuan is a professor of literature at Peking University and winner of the 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award. In this folktale, he recognizes that searching does not always end in an expected result, but is still a valuable quest for truth. The story is enhanced by the incomparable illustrations of Roger Mello, who has created strikingly beautiful spreads of the feather's encounter with each of the birds it meets. He highlights their gorgeous plumage including the tail of the peacock and the wings of the geese and then places them strategically on dynamic, full-color backgrounds that match this adventure of discovery. Garcia-Roberts has deftly translated this tale from the original Chinese with language that truly captures the poignancy of never giving up on your search for truth. "If I belonged to a bird, I could fly even higher!" VERDICT An amazing picture book that could be paired with classic titles, used to introduce a bird unit on adaptations, or just shared as the wonderful read-aloud it is. Highly recommended.--Carole Phillips, Greenacres Elementary School, Scarsdale, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"[A] lovely and, yes, profound tale. . . Mello's striking art makes each page a bright color, each avian portrait an evocative surprise. The book's box like design looks special, too." — The New York Times Book Review

"[A] picture book with a very thoughtful, philosophical bent... strikingly gorgeous illustrations perfectly capture the variety of birds in the world including kingfisher, cuckoo, heron, wild geese, peacock, skylark and hawk... This is a book to hand to thoughtful readers." —Catherine Coyne, Mansfield Public Library, in Youth Services Book Review

"Feather is unlike any other picture book I've seen. . . nuanced and timeless in its nature. And then there are Roger Mello's striking illustrations." — Cracking the Cover

"Feather is a unique, beautiful take on the "Are You My Mother" story structure as a lost feather floats along, trying to find the bird it belongs to. Paired with Mello's spare yet rich and dynamic illustrations, this hopeful story of searching for belonging soars above the rest." — Hannah DeCamp, Avid Bookshop

"As Feather encounters different kinds of birds, it asks, "Am I yours?" The beautifully detailed illustrations, by the author of You Can't Be Too Careful!, accompany Feather on its disheartening journey to a violent climax. The book comes out in September in the US, but it's worth the wait." — Quartz

"The illustrations are beautiful and striking in their simplicity... A sweet story, reading like a folk tale, a story of finding where you belong and not giving up until you do." — Katrina Yurenka, Youth Services Book Review, starred review

"[A] lovely picture book by beloved Chinese children's author Cao Wenxuan. . . The stunning illustrations are by acclaimed artist Roger Mello." — Buffalo News

"Award-winning Chinese author Cao Wenxuan has written a moving, timeless story, with a sensitive translation by Chloe Garcia Roberts. Wenxuan is a natural storyteller and the meditative and sagacious tale meanders gently along combining with an essence of Zen philosophy - an understanding of the meaning of life... Brazilian artist Roger Mello's illustrations are striking... a bewitching book for all ages." —Outside In World