BLOG TOUR: A Dream of Birds by Shenaz Patel & Emmanuelle Tchoukriel

A DREAM OF BIRDS

by Shenaz Patel, illustrated by Emmanuelle Tchoukriel

Translated by Edwige-Renee Dro

Amazon Crossing Kids, 2022

ISBN: 978-1662500930

Source: Blue Slip Media

Ages 6-10

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Book cover & summary provided by Goodreads.com & publisher.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sara has a thing for birds. They remind her of her grandfather, who loved birds, and the wonderful show the creatures would put on in his yard each day—like a cloud of colorful flowers carried by the wind.

As Sara walks to school in her island town, she longs for the freedom of those birds. Then she spots a new birdhouse full of parakeets in someone’s yard. Sara feels drawn to them and unable to forget them. So what happens the next time, when she finds the door to the birdhouse unlocked?

With poetic language and beautiful art, this story set on the African island of Mauritius brings to life a little girl’s deep love of nature, her brash but well-meaning choice, and ultimately, her redemption and dream for a better world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, ILLUSTRATOR/TRANSLATOR

Shenaz Patel was born and lives on Mauritius Island. She has several jobs: journalist, playwright, novelist, and translator, and she is also a comics and children’s book author. She has written nine books for children, including A Dream of Birds, which was first published in French and English in Mauritius and France. She was named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 2013, a high honor given by the French minister of culture.

Emmanuelle Tchoukriel was born and lives in France. Passionate about nature, she studied visual communication before entering the Estienne School in Paris. She specialized in scientific drawing, and she excels in illustrating flora and fauna. On Instagram: @emanuelle_tchoukriel

Edwige-Renée Dro is a writer, translator, and literary activist from the Ivory Coast, in Africa. Her writings have been published in anthologies such as New Daughters of Africa and Africa39, among others. She has judged many literary prizes, including the PEN International New Voices Award and the Etisalat Prize for Literature. She was awarded the Miles Morland Writing Scholarship in 2018 and is a 2021 resident of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. Learn more at edwigedro.wordpress.com.

Twitter: @DroEdwige
Facebook: Renée Edwige Dro

REVIEW

A Dream of Birds originally published in Mauritius and France follows a young girl named Sara as she faces a dilemma.  On her way to school one morning, she sees a birdhouse on a neighbor's property.  Seeing the colorful parakeets inside reminds her of her grandfather.  She remembers how dozens of birds would come to visit and be fed rice by her grandfather.  The next day when she stops to see the birds she impulsively releases them.  This leads to unexpected consequences as she is faced with regret for what she's done.  She later has a dream that helps her come to terms with her actions.  

I found this to be rather different than many of the American books that I read. Part of that is undoubtedly the fact that it was originally written in a language other than English. The book is a rather quiet one, there are no exciting adventures here, just a girl faced with a choice and the consequences of that choice.  I think it would make a good book to share with older elementary students though and could encourage some interesting discussion about right and wrong, the ethics of owning normally wild animals, and thinking things through before making a choice.  The digital illustrations are quite lovely with the crisp dark lines and bright colors. I found the birds to be especially stunning.  All in all, a thoughtful book about choice and accountability.

SAMPLE ILLUSTRATIONS