From award-winning illustrator–and author–François Thisdale, Feather for a Friend invites readers to reflect on how their actions affect others. Will Theodore make the right decision and show kindness to his newfound friend?
Theodore is a quiet bear who loves to write beautiful stories. Lately, his words and ideas are hard to find, leaving Theodore unhappy. One morning, Theodore is startled by a loud crashing noise on his porch windows. Once outside, he discovers an injured bird which he brings inside, along with the bird’s fallen feather. While nursing the little bird back to health, Theodore starts to use the bird’s feather to write. The feather is just like magic and Theodore’s words and ideas return, and at the same time, he enjoys the little bird’s companionship. Once the bird is well, Theodore must choose between letting his new friend free to join his flock or selfishly keep him captive for his own needs. Although not immediately aware of his mistake, Theodore realizes what is more important: the bird is wild and needs to be free. This act of kindness opens Theodore’s heart and makes him a happier bear. In seasons to come, the bird brings his friend a new feather; a powerful reminder of their wonderful friendship.
Praise for Feather for a Friend
“A bear struggling with writer’s block learns a lesson in friendship. Bespectacled, formally dressed Theodore enjoys writing stories, but inspiration is hard to come by. When a fluffy, bright-red bird flies into his window and is injured, Theodore nurses him back to health, finding a stray feather in the process. This feather-turned-quill becomes magic in Theodore’s paws as words and stories return to him. After the quill breaks in half, the bird offers Theodore another one. Soon the bird is healthy and ready to leave…but what if Theodore runs out of quills? He cages the bird to ensure a supply of feather pens. But the sorrow-filled bird grows sick, and Theodore stokes the fire with his stories to keep the little creature warm. Realizing the error of his ways, Theodore takes care of the bird and releases him; he’s delighted to find that, even in freedom, their friendship remains, and so does a supply of feathers. With this tale originally published in Canada and translated from French, Thisdale makes complex messages comprehensible to a young audience. His illustrations successfully use perspective with a variety of full-page images and tight close-ups. One particularly noteworthy page shows Theodore’s stories as letters escaping the chimney in smoke, a misty night as the backdrop. The afterword explains quill pens in a child-friendly way. An abstract message presented thoughtfully with meaningful, clarifying visuals.(Picture book. 4-8)”—Kirkus Reviews
