Outside Amelia's Window

PreS-Gr 2--A lonely child finds courage and inspiration from birds to make new friends. Amelia, who presents as Asian, watches as two children move in next door. While her mother encourages her to approach them, Amelia fears that she won't be able to play "like she used to." On her porch one day, she watches a small bird pull a ribbon from her very own box of treasures and use it to build a nest in a nearby tree. Fascinated, Amelia learns the bird, now joined by another, is a redstart; she names the pair Penelope and Osiris. In her research, Amelia learns that their migration route takes them from the Appalachian Mountains all the way to the forests of Venezuela. As the birds practice flying and prepare for their flight, Amelia takes a journey of her own; readers then learn that she has avoided the use of a wheelchair. The following spreads depict Amelia and her neighbors Maggie and Peter playing in a wheelchair-accessible tree house, making snow angels, and more. Nastro's reflective, gentle text captures Amelia's thought process and growth, while interweaving facts about birds. Budisan's colorful pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are nothing short of stunning, depicting Amelia's emotions, her wonder toward the redstarts, and ultimate joy found in the company of new friends. Endpapers include quotes and facts about birds. VERDICT Inspirational and informative, this story is highly recommended for purchase for picture book collections.--Olivia Gorecke

American redstart fledglings inspire a solitary child to befriend neighboring children in this kindhearted picture book. Though Amelia, who uses a wheelchair and reads as East Asian, is "a bit lonely," she avoids meeting the children who move in next door. "She just didn't think that she could./ Not anymore./ Not like she used to," and instead stays inside reading fantasy tales. But when a redstart lands on her windowsill and snatches a ribbon, Amelia becomes enraptured by the bird's efforts to build a nest, and then eagerly watches as two eggs produce chicks. Reading about the birds' epic migration makes her think, "If they can do it...// ...perhaps so can I?"; she then ventures out, playing with a light-skinned boy and tan-skinned girl. Budisan's dreamy artwork employs a mix of pencil and watercolor techniques, creating a delicate effect that suits Nastro's quiet narration and its interweaving of natural elements. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)

"Budisan's delicate but vivid pencil-and-watercolor illustrations subtly convey Amelia's emotions and lend a dreamlike feel to the redstarts' rhythmically described migration, quietly enhancing Nastro's simple, gently encouraging text. Fledgling ornithologists will particularly appreciate the notebook-style bird facts scattered across the endpapers....An uplifting tale of birds and bravery." —Kirkus Reviews

"The delightful story does a marvelous job of giving Amelia room to explore life on her own terms, and the dreamy pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are wonderfully creative....A gentle reminder of the joy to be found in embracing adventure and expanding horizons." —Booklist