Free

When one of the birds is unwell, the boy and Grandad make him ‘a cosy bed’ and consult Grandad’s book of bird facts. Grandad explains that the bird should be set ‘Free‘ once he is recovered. Yet back on his feet, and after some water, the bird returns. ‘Look who it is!’ 

The boy and Grandad feed the bird some berries, before taking him outside to the birdbath with the other wild birds. However, the bird comes back to them anew. At this point, Grandad stipulates, ‘I think he’ll be happier if he’s free. We need to find a tree [like this] and help him find his way home.’ 

We love the adventures taken by Grandad and the boy, like Rain as imagined by glorious picture book maker Sam Usher. ‘Free‘ is  a new experience, for the pair gather their ‘expedition equipment’ and trek a long way to the tree ‘right at the top of that mountain.‘

What will they discover? Will the bird be reconciled to his freedom? What will WE see?

We journey from the warm clutter of home, and familiar triple- decker sandwiches, bird feeders and busy bookcases, to a mountain polyptych that depicts the challenge of the journey thoroughly.

Bookwagon is delighted to welcome this beautiful Sam Usher title aboard.