My Beautiful Birds
Book - 2017
Behind Sami, the Syrian skyline is full of smoke. The boy follows his family and all his neighbours in a long line, as they trudge through the sands and hills to escape the bombs that have destroyed their homes. But all Sami can think of is his pet pigeons--will they escape too? When they reach a refugee camp and are safe at last, everyone settles into the tent city. But though the children start to play and go to school again, Sami can't join in. When he is given paper and paint, all he can do is smear his painting with black. He can't forget his birds and what his family has left behind. One day a canary, a dove, and a rose finch fly into the camp. They flutter around Sami and settle on his outstretched arms. For Sami it is one step in a long healing process at last.
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Publisher:
Toronto, Ontario : Pajama Press Inc., 2017
ISBN:
9781772781212
9781772780109
9781772780109
Branch Call Number:
DEL
Characteristics:
1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 27 cm
Opinion
From Library Staff
From Library Staff
Sami is devastated when he has to leave his pet pigeons behind when his family is forced to leave home and settle in a refugee camp. Sami realizes that the sky he sees from camp is the same sky as in Syria and that if his pigeons were strong enough to fly, they might be strong enough to survive. ... Read More »
Sami is devastated when he has to leave his pet pigeons behind when his family is forced to leave home and settle in a refugee camp. Sami realizes that the sky he sees from camp is the same sky as in Syria and that if his pigeons were strong enough to fly, they might be strong enough to survive. ... Read More »
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Add a CommentHeartbreaking. Beautiful clay illustrations that are evocative and dream-like. I cried reading it. I don't think I would be able to get through this in a storytime without sobbing.
Beautiful illustrations mostly made of clay. Beautiful, sad, hopeful story of a Syrian child, Sami, forced to leave his home due to civil war. He must leave the beloved pigeons he cared for. He and his family make their way to a refugee camp where he befriends some new birds and a little girl just entering the camp. Despite the horror he has faced and the nightmares he experiences, Sami finds hope in the birds and the people around him.
This gorgeous picture book tells the story of Sami, who has had to leave his home in Syria and flee to a Refugee camp. The pictures are done in plasticine, and are so beautiful and moving. Sami had to leave behind his birds as his family ran, and he misses them so much. The story shows an gentle path towards healing both in the pictures and in the words. An eye opener for children who might never have heard of Refugee camps and what it means to be a refuge and leave your home. (Submitted by Sharleen)
Awe-worthy illustrations filled with longing of home, but also hope. A timely story that gives a glimpse into one boy's journey seeking refuge. An important addition to a family's story sharing collection.