Ivy is a redhead that loves birds. They surround
her life. She associates herself with these feathered friends and imitates
their calls and actions in play. She can trill
and chirp, peep and chatter, cackle, tweet and squawk.
Ivy enjoys a
singular freedom which the sight of her birds and their sense of autonomy give
her, for what she sees stimulates her imagination. It sets up her whole day.
Jess Racklyeft’s passion for drawing small birds, and
her medium preference of watercolour, allows her to portray in the brightest
light, McCartney’s creative and demonstrative text.
Alliteration and frequent
assonance add repeated sparks of sound to each page. This is engendered by her
always precise choice of words. A sense of lightness and joy is reflected in
the whole presentation.
Racklyeft’s illustrations, child-like and
endearing, are shared with her daughter’s contribution throughout the book. The exquisite cover whets the reader’s interest. Gorgeous
bird-filled endpages contribute to the magic that seems to float through a
story that displays the unity and friendship, between a child and the natural
world.
The birds steal the show. Each of them appear in a
double spread at the end and make a collective impression for kids to admire and
learn from. They are named and introduced by appearance, habits and food
choices.
Ivy Bird is the fifth collaboration between these two highly-talented creators. It follows the partnership that began in Smile Cry, See Hear, Merry Everything! and Hip Hip Hooray!
Ivy Bird is the fifth collaboration between these two highly-talented creators. It follows the partnership that began in Smile Cry, See Hear, Merry Everything! and Hip Hip Hooray!
Title:
Ivy Bird
Author:
Tania McCartney
Illustrator:
Jess Racklyeft
Publisher:
Windy Hollow Books, $25.99
Publication
Date: September 2019
Format:
Hardcover
ISBN:
9781922081797
For
ages: 3 – 6
