How to Heal a Broken Wing written and illustrated by Bob Graham

How to Heal a Broken Wing written and illustrated by Bob Graham

All I have to say is, "Thank you, Cybils Awards!" If it wouldn't have been shortlisted and then won in the Fiction Picture Book category, I probably would have missed this beautiful gem of a book.

The premise is simple. A young boy, Will, finds an injured bird unnoticed by everyone else in the big city. He and his mother take it home to nurse it back to health, and with a lot of love, care, and hope, the bird flies again. The text is sparse, yet powerful, and the soft and richly detailed illustrations of Will caring for the bird add an inspirational and heartwarming tone.

But what is best about this book is that it's about much more than a boy caring for an injured bird. It's about hope, dedication, healing, recovery, and beating the odds. But don't worry...the beauty of the book is that it does not contain "in-your-face" messaging. It's subtle yet powerful for those who may be seeking a little comfort. I shed a tear or two reading the book and would recommend giving it to anyone who has had or is going through a rough patch in their lives. This is one of the books that I think should be in everyone's library, not just a child's library. I highly highly recommend it!


More info:

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (August 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763639036
• ISBN-13: 978-0763639037