Birdsong is a beautiful ode to seasonal shifts in our lives and in the natural world. As a young girl moves to a new home and befriends her elderly neighbor, she finds a wise friend and fellow artist who opens her eyes to new ways of seeing (and creating). Flett's gentle illustrations and a sincere story make this book a tender way to explore life and death--truly a poem for the heart.
— Hannah DeCamp
Julie Flett's Birdsong eases the reader through the ups and downs of life -- moving away, rediscovering hobbies, gaining and losing a friend -- through the grounding presence of the seasons. In Birdsong the snow, the rain, the birds, and the surrounding environment are beautiful and necessary. Flett's reflection on grief and beauty is tender and mesmerizing.
— MikeyBEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, KIRKUS, HORN BOOK, QUILL & QUIRE, GLOBE AND MAIL
WINNER OF THE TD CANADIAN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE AWARD
FINALIST FOR THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S AWARD
AN AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH LITERATURE HONOR TITLE
A BOSTON GLOBE--HORN BOOK HONOR BOOK
When Katherena and her mother move to a small town, Katherena feels lonely and out of place. But when she meets an elderly woman artist who lives next door, named Agnes--her world starts to change.
Katherena and Agnes share the same passions for arts and crafts, birds, and nature. But as the seasons change, can Katherna navigate the failing health of her new friend?
Award-winning author and artist Julie Flett's textured images of birds, flowers, art, and landscapes bring vibrancy and warmth to this powerful story, which highlights the fulfillment of intergenerational relationships, shared passions, and spending time outdoors with the ones we love.
Includes a glossary and pronunciation guide to Cree words that appear in the text.
"Cree-M tis author/illustrator Julie Flett's smooth and lyrical words and gorgeous... images truly capture the warmth and solidarity of the female protagonists in this tender intergenerational friendship story."--The Horn Book
"Cycling from spring to spring, Julie Flett's] subtle, sensitive story delicately traces filaments of growth and loss through intergenerational friendship, art making, and changing moons and seasons." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)