Bird (book) facts for kids
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| Author | Zetta Elliott |
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| Illustrator | Shadra Strickland |
| Published | 2008 |
| Publisher | Lee & Low Books |
| Awards | New Voices Award Honor |
Bird, written by Zetta Elliott and illustrated by Shadra Strickland, is a picture book written in 2008. It won the New Voices Award Honor from its publishing company Lee & Low Books Incorporation.
Background & Setting
Zetta Elliot is a poet, author, and obtained a doctorate degree in American Studies from NYU. She wrote Bird as a short story in 2006 before working with illustrator Shadra Strickland to turn it into a picture book in 2008. It is her first publication, and has won many awards. Bird is an African American story that contains elements of African folklore and touches on death and mental illness.
Plot Summary
The book narrates the story of a young black boy named Mehkai. His nickname is Bird, given to him by his Grandad. However, when his granddad passes away, Mehkai grows close to his grandad's best friend named Uncle Son. Together they go to the park, feed pigeons, tell stories, and drink coffee. Bird loves to draw to remember and better understand things in his life. His favorite thing to draw is, of course, birds. Flashing back in time, Bird describes his brother Marcus who was a graffiti artist that taught him to draw. When Marcus passes away and Granddad shortly after, Uncle Son and Bird begin to go to the park every week. During these outings, Bird learns to find peace with the loss of his brother and his Grandfather, and he continues to draw in hopes to learn from his experiences and never forget.
Characters
- Mehkai (Bird)- The main character and narrator of the story, also known as Bird by his Grandad.
- Uncle Son- The best friend of Mehkai's Grandad, and a philosophical companion to Mehkai when his Grandad passes away.
- Grandad- Mehkai's Grandfather and a mentor to Mehkai. He passes away at the end of the book.
- Marcus- He is Bird's older brother and someone that Bird looks up to.
- Mama- Bird's mother
- Papa- Bird's father.
