Archive for the ‘My Beautiful Birds’ Category

That’s Another Story “The story is told in a way that helps younger children connect to the feelings of sadness and fear of the refugee experience. The illustrations in this book are beautiful, reminding me of many amazing sunsets and cloud-filled skies I have experienced.” Click here to read the full review

ASLC Litpicks “Canadian Suzanne Del Rizzo has created a gorgeously layered and textured vision of a refugee camp in Syria based on a true story….Politics and worldviews are conspicuously absent, as Del Rizzo’s incredibly detailed paint, Plasticine and polymer clay illustrations make Sami and the camp come to life. The camp is shown as a […]

“This refugee experience, written from the unique perspective of a small boy, is both fascinating and heart-breaking. While the story is lovely, the real successes are the polymer clay illustrations, done by the author. They are brightly colored, have wonderful detail and give the story some nice texture. This book is relevant and lovely, and […]

“There is a fine line to walk when writing for children about the horror and deprivation of war, especially when that story is about a child of the same age. The author needs to inspire empathy and understanding without causing anxiety for the young readers. In My Beautiful Birds, Del Rizzo has done a masterful […]

Pajama Press is proud to announce that My Beautiful Birds by award-winning author-illustrator Suzanne Del Rizzo is a 2017 Quill & Quire Books of the Year selection. Quill & Quire “is the magazine of the Canadian book trade….The magazine reviews around 400 new titles each year, offering the most comprehensive look at Canadian-authored books in the country.” Learn more here. […]

Pajama Press is excited to announce that My Beautiful Birds by author-illustrator Suzanne Del Rizzo is the winner of the 2017 Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children’s Literature. The Malka Penn Award “is given annually to the author of an outstanding children’s book addressing human rights issues or themes, such as discrimination, equity, poverty, […]

“…When you live in a peaceful place where there is no war or conflict, it is hard to imagine what it is like to lose everything. It is hard to imagine what it is like to be a refugee. Unfortunately, today more people have been displaced by conflict and natural disasters than ever before. One […]

“It’s unusual to find stories about the Syrian civil war geared to picture book readers; but young audiences with adult assistance will find this an excellent introduction of the experience of refugees through the eyes of a young boy who dreams for something better.” Click here to read the full review

“My Beautiful Birds is a beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated book about a young boy coping with the loss of pets and home and adapting to life in a refugee camp….Del Rizzo’s illustrations are the perfect compliments to the story. While they are detailed enough to convey emotion well, because they appear as theatrical vignettes, they […]

“…Del Rizzo’s exquisite polymer clay illustrations add depth and a life-like dimension to Sami’s story….I appreciated that the author focused on the refugee crisis that is affecting the most innocent and vulnerable, children. She doesn’t address political themes in the book, but focuses on the humanity of the situation for children displaced from their homes in Syria….My Beautiful Birds is an excellent […]