Kozo the Sparrow
Will be published approx. on 7. December 2023
Book
Hardback
40 pages
978-0-06-324846-5 (ISBN)
Description
**A NEW YORK TIMES BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF 2023**
Caldecott Medalist Allen Say's tale of a young boy who saves a baby bird from the local bullies is filled with compassion and empathy. Based on a true story and gorgeously illustrated, this story from an iconic picture book creator is not to be missed.
A young boy sees a baby bird quivering in the hands of a neighborhood bully.
Suddenly, he wants the orphan sparrow more than anything. He trades all his treasures for the bird and calls it Kozo, Little Boy.
But how will he keep Kozo alive?
In this painted album of memory, eight-year-old Allen Say talks about the best friend he made in his childhood.
Caldecott Medalist Allen Say's tale of a young boy who saves a baby bird from the local bullies is filled with compassion and empathy. Based on a true story and gorgeously illustrated, this story from an iconic picture book creator is not to be missed.
A young boy sees a baby bird quivering in the hands of a neighborhood bully.
Suddenly, he wants the orphan sparrow more than anything. He trades all his treasures for the bird and calls it Kozo, Little Boy.
But how will he keep Kozo alive?
In this painted album of memory, eight-year-old Allen Say talks about the best friend he made in his childhood.
Reviews / Votes
"Say offers a tender narrative about a youth who saves a baby sparrow from a group of village bullies. Softly colored pen, ink, and watercolor vignettes give delight to the brief relationship between child and sparrow." - Publishers Weekly"Say's pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations depict with equal clarity both the rural Japanese setting and the young protagonist's quiet determination and devotion. An author's note closes the affecting book." - Horn Book Magazine
"The narrative gently relates the progression of [Kozo and the boy's] mutually rewarding relationship and the meaningfulness of care and kindness, themes furthered in Say's soft, realistic, and expressive watercolor illustrations. Say's endnote provides story background and context, including about growing up in post-WWII Japan and the real-life Kozo."
- Booklist
"This poignant . . . narrative navigates complex themes of friendship, loneliness, kindness, and bravery. A deeply personal tale that underscores the power of kindness." - Kirkus Reviews
?"A mature and moving story replete with both tenderness and cruelty. Highly recommended as a picture book for older elementary students and all those with an interest in illustration." - School Library Journal (starred review)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: Preschool, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 257 mm
Width: 221 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
408 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-324846-5 (9780063248465)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, and came to the United States when he was sixteen. His many treasured books for children include Tree of Cranes, Allison, and the Caldecott Medal-winning Grandfather's Journey. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, and came to the United States when he was sixteen. His many treasured books for children include Tree of Cranes, Allison, and the Caldecott Medal-winning Grandfather's Journey. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, and came to the United States when he was sixteen. His many treasured books for children include Tree of Cranes, Allison, and the Caldecott Medal-winning Grandfather's Journey. He lives in Portland, Oregon.