The Lion and the Bird by Marianne Dubuc (review)

While working in his garden in the autumn, Lion finds an injured bird. He bandages its wing and takes it into his home, where it heals and keeps him company over the winter. When spring returns, the bird rejoins its flock as they once again pass through the area. Lion is sad but understands (“And so it goes. Sometimes life is like that”), yet still he hopes that perhaps he will see his friend again. Sure enough, as autumn approaches, the bird returns to spend the winter with Lion, much to the satisfaction of both friends. The minimal text (many spreads are in fact wordless), leisurely pace, and serene pictures in warm, subdued tones gracefully capture the seasonal passage of time, making this lovely French import an experience over which to linger. The book’s length makes it read like an extended picture book, or perhaps a picture-book sized easy reader; it would work particularly well for a bedtime or lapsit session with an adult, although primary-graders with some reading experience could easily tackle it on their own as well. Dubuc’s illustrations are carefully composed, and the subtly varied tones and pencil-like hatching and detailing add texture and depth to the scenes. The post-migration scenes skillfully portray Lion’s loneliness as he is dwarfed by an ocean of surrounding white space or eats alone at his dining table. Pair this with Prahin’s Brimsby’s Hats (BCCB 1/14) for another quiet book about waiting for a friend’s return or with Runton’s Owl and Wormy, Friends All Aflutter (BCCB 3/11) for a look at biding one’s time through seasonal changes.