Feather

This meaningful children's story captures such complex themes as sense of belonging, deceiving appearances, etc, with vibrant images that bring its lessons to life on the page.

This is a really cool picture book. I loved the art style and the author's point of view.

Feather wants to know where she belongs. She has been fluttering and floating in the sky feeling peaceful,but at times, helpless. She is determined to discover what type of bird she comes from. Her journey is not an easy one.

The wind carries Feather to mountain peaks, tufts of grass and bodies of water. She meets, questions, and is ignored by a kingfisher focused on catching fish and a cuckoo calling out to people. A peacock is insulted by Feather's query. How can Feather possibly think she belongs to the most beautiful bird in the world? Her windswept journey ends when she meets a mother hen and her baby chicks.

"Feather" by renowned Chinese author Cao Wenxuan and Brazilian illustrator Mello, is a masterful picture book that explores Feather's need for belonging. Hans Christian Andersen award winners Wenxuan and Mello have provided a well conceived and executed story accompanied by intricate textured drawings against a vibrant, color saturated background. An excellent book for ages 5-8.

Thank you Archipelago Books, Elsewhere Editions and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Feather".

“Feather” was written by Cao Wenxuan, one of China’s celebrated children’s authors, and beautifully illustrated by Roger Mello.

This story begins when a young boy and girl pick up Feather, pass her back and forth, then toss her back to the ground, wondering out loud: “What kind of a bird is that feather from?”

Feather, herself, begins to wonder about that very same thing.

Where do I belong? Who do I belong to? Where do I fit in? Life is hard enough when you are among others, but Feather is beginning to feel alone, and while floating around in the sky can be lovely – at least for a while, eventually the peace of floating begins to feel more like just being out there on your own, alone. Lonely.

She meets different birds, each time asking: “Do I belong to you?” at first expectantly, hopeful. After a time, though, and after being ignored, rejected, and insulted, as she was by the Peacock, it all begins to feel more like a yearning for her place, than freedom. Floating along the wind, Feather becomes more despondent, until she finally finds home, and recognizes exactly where she belongs.

The drawings are really quite unique and lovely, very intricate and delicate illustrations, rich, deep, and colourful. Mello is Brazilian, but you can see the Chinese influence in some of the illustrations, as well, it felt to me like a artistically perfect blend of the two cultures. The story flows in a quietly thoughtful, meditative way that is will capture the hearts and minds of parents and the children they will want to read this to, as well as prompting opportunities for questions or thoughts about the need to belong to something greater than oneself.

From the moment Feather questions who she belongs to, my mind heard Irene Cara (of course) singing “Out Here On My Own”

“Sometimes I wonder
Where I've been
Who I am, do I fit in?
Make-believing is hard alone
Out here, on my own”

“We're always proving
Who we are
Always reaching
For that rising star
To guide me far
And shine me home
Out here, on my own”
“Out Here On My Own” sung by Irene Cara, written by Lesley Gore and Michael Gore


Recommended – Children Up to Age 8

Pub Date: 10 Oct 2017

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Archipelago Books / Elsewhere Editions

Visually stunning! I think this book could have been told in illustrations alone. The text is repetitive yet complex in writing--making it a good read for all ages.

A beautifully illustrated children's book that follows a feather on its journey to find which bird it came from. The themes of curiosity, sadness and belonging are all delicately handled, making it a really lovely story for both adults and children. Having previously heard about Cao's thought provoking and beautiful children's books I was really happy to be able to finally read one!

This was kind of a cute story. Along the lines of Are You My Mother, actually. A feather tries to find it's way back to it's owner. Little ones will enjoy it's search!

"A Feather" is a quiet, contemplative look at belonging through the eyes of Feather - a genderless character who has lost the bird to whom they belonged. Feather wishes nothing more than to fly high on a bird, and so Feather asks each bird they encounter "Do I belong to you?" After many rejections, a kind bird takes the feather flying but falls victim to the predatory hawk. Finally, feeling defeated, Feather finds its bird and realizes that a walk on the ground might be very nice, too. While the ending of the tale might be slightly abrupt for some readers and the poor songbird isn't resurrected or magically saved as some might hope, this is an excellent read-aloud for many ages. The illustrations are rich and unique, and the pacing is just right. Cherish both the story and the visuals.

What a sophisticated picture book! Many books from the US have a similar concept, but are expressed in a cute childish way. I could see using this book in an elementary school class, and then comparing it to “Are You My Mother?” or a similar title.

This book is visually stunning - I really didn't expect the quality of illustrations that you find in the book! The story is a bit repetitive in places but it fits in with what the author wants to portray - very good quality - 4 stars from me and can see it being loved by the young and old