There is so much to love about YETI AND THE BIRD by Nadia Shireen (Atheneum).
I am a sucker for friendship books. Friends found, friends discovered, and friendships of the unlikely. This book seems to have them all.
Bird, a little bit clueless, finds a friend when she crashes into Yeti’s head. And though he is the “biggest, hairiest, scariest beast,” Bird shares fearlessly and enthusiastically about her trip to this sunny paradise with Yeti until she realizes she is off course and nowhere near her original destination. Then she becomes either worried or melancholy or perhaps both. When Yeti tries unsuccessfully to comfort her and eventually takes the exhausted Bird home in his big arms, I had an “awwww” moment. Because, as aforementioned, I’m a
sucker for friendship books Their friendship is fast and strong and curious to the rest of the forest. Eventually the weather begins to change and Yeti realizes that Bird would soon need to fly away; to finish the trip from which she flew off course. Yeti helps her map out her trip, make sure everything is packed, and then sends her on her way. The parting leaves him even lonelier than before. But there is a surprise for lonely Yeti …
I am also a sucker for cryptozoological stories. About sasquatch or Nessie or mermaids. (I still haven’t found a good one on chupacabras yet. Hmmmm….) Despite his perceived fearsome reputation, Yeti is a most endearing creature. Shireen has created a likable beast with unpredicted talents and you can’t help but fall for his charm. He lives in a world of a limited, desaturated, but very comfortable palette. The illustrations of his environment are inviting, both day and night. But in particular, early in the book when Yeti is contemplating his loneliness and his image is reflected in a pool. Man, I want to create a moving image like that someday. The other animals in the forest are charming in their own right and maybe they all deserve their own stories too. But I’ve got to give a shout out specifically to the rabbits (because BUNNIES!!!) in the spread where Yeti carries the tired Bird home.
This is a simple but lovely book. Perhaps a little predictable and that is okay. It delivers. And the art is worth it alone. If this was published as is, as a wordless book, it would still stand strong.
I looked for this title at our public library’s catalog. I didn’t find it but I did find another by this author/illustrator. I will check it out. Maybe I’ll find the other later. I could put in a request for purchase. Perhaps the library would add it. Thanks for the recommendation. I love a good friendship book too.
This is the only book of Shireen’s I’ve read so far but will search out others soon!
LOVE the Yeti–so cute! Will be checking this one out, Kevan.
Have your heard of the Boston Yeti? That was pretty hilarious.
I have not, Maria—I’ll google it!
I’m going to buy this book because I can’t control my compulsion to purchase fabulous picture books!
Yeah, I’m weak that way, too. ;^0
Need to get this one, because guess what? My next pb features a lonely bigfoot, too…trying to make friends with birds. Very different from this story, of course. Whew.
What a coincidence, Jill (and I imagine when you first saw what it was about a frightening one—thankfully it is a very different story!)
Off to pick up this one at the library! Stories about unlikely friendships always get me “hook, line and sinker”. Thanks for the post!
Awww. (I did that just from your description!) This looks like a real charmer, and I love the artwork. Adding it to the list . . .
I’m a terrible editor and I originally misspelled “cryptozoological” both in the title and the text. For those who noticed, it is now correct. For those who didn’t notice, there’s nothing here, go on your way.
Wait till you see it in context, Linda.
Ooh, I have this one waiting in a pile on the floor next to my desk. Maybe I will move it up to the top.
Okay, now I have to find this book because I want to know what the Yeti’s surprise is.
I just adore that image of the red bird nestled into the Yeti’s detailed fur! Lovely, Kevan, thank you so much!