Veronika Martenova Charles, illustrated by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko & Stephan Daigle,
The Birdman
Tundra Books, 2006

Rating: E

After the death of his three children, a grieving tailor finds comfort in healing and freeing sick birds. Award-winning Toronto author Veronika Martenova Charles poignantly portrays the true story of this man from Calcutta after being compelled by a newspaper article to visit him.

The sincerity with which Charles imparts this story imbues it with many layers. The simple yet richly descriptive text reads aloud beautifully, and the themes of overcoming grief and making the world a better place give the tale depth. It would be helpful for any child dealing with grief or for a group discussion on what truly brings happiness. Charles’s notes on her visit to meet "The Birdman", Noor Nobi, impart her strong connection with the tale. She also links the account to her own background as a child in Prague, which could open up a discussion on story: where it comes from and what motivates a storyteller to impart it.

The gouache illustrations by two celebrated Montreal artists are nothing short of spectacular, adding yet another layer of depth to the story. With rich colours and symbolism, they aptly portray Nobi’s life in the busy streets of Calcutta and symbolise his journey from despair to hope. In fact, the artwork alone would support a discussion of symbolism.

This story’s universal appeal and message of hope are suitable for any grade level.

Thematic Links: Death and Grief; Activism; Birds; Calcutta, India; Tailors

Denise Parrott
Vol. 12, number 2
December 2006

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.