What do you think?
Rate this book
羽毛
A feather is blown across the sky, meeting various birds along the way, and asking each one, "Do I belong to you?" Again and again, the feather is dismissed or ignored. Only when it calmly and contentedly accepts that perhaps it is simply a feather with no bird to call its own does fate offer a reunion...
44 pages
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Cao Wenxuan
291 books44 followersCao Wenxuan, author of the acclaimed Bronze and Sunflower, is the recipient of the 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award. He has also won several of China’s important awards for children’s literature. A professor of Chinese literature at Peking University, Cao Wenxuan has seen many of his books become bestsellers in China, and his work has been translated into French, Russian, German, Japanese, and Korean.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 21, 2017
Feather wants to know where she belongs. She has been fluttering and floating in the sky feeling peaceful,but at times, helpless. She is determined to discover what type of bird she comes from. Her journey is not an easy one.
The wind carries Feather to mountain peaks, tufts of grass and bodies of water. She meets, questions, and is ignored by a kingfisher focused on catching fish and a cuckoo calling out to people. A peacock is insulted by Feather's query. How can Feather possibly think she belongs to the most beautiful bird in the world? Her windswept journey ends when she meets a mother hen and her baby chicks.
"Feather" by renowned Chinese author Cao Wenxuan and Brazilian illustrator Mello, is a masterful picture book that explores Feather's need for belonging. Hans Christian Andersen award winners Wenxuan and Mello have provided a well conceived and executed story accompanied by intricate textured drawings against a vibrant, color saturated background. An excellent book for ages 5-8.
Thank you Archipelago Books, Elsewhere Editions and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Feather".
The wind carries Feather to mountain peaks, tufts of grass and bodies of water. She meets, questions, and is ignored by a kingfisher focused on catching fish and a cuckoo calling out to people. A peacock is insulted by Feather's query. How can Feather possibly think she belongs to the most beautiful bird in the world? Her windswept journey ends when she meets a mother hen and her baby chicks.
"Feather" by renowned Chinese author Cao Wenxuan and Brazilian illustrator Mello, is a masterful picture book that explores Feather's need for belonging. Hans Christian Andersen award winners Wenxuan and Mello have provided a well conceived and executed story accompanied by intricate textured drawings against a vibrant, color saturated background. An excellent book for ages 5-8.
Thank you Archipelago Books, Elsewhere Editions and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Feather".
June 28, 2017
“Feather” was written by Cao Wenxuan, one of China’s celebrated children’s authors, and beautifully illustrated by Roger Mello.
This story begins when a young boy and girl pick up Feather, pass her back and forth, then toss her back to the ground, wondering out loud: “What kind of a bird is that feather from?”
Feather, herself, begins to wonder about that very same thing.
Where do I belong? Who do I belong to? Where do I fit in? Life is hard enough when you are among others, but Feather is beginning to feel alone, and while floating around in the sky can be lovely – at least for a while, eventually the peace of floating begins to feel more like just being out there on your own, alone. Lonely.
She meets different birds, each time asking: “Do I belong to you?” at first expectantly, hopeful. After a time, though, and after being ignored, rejected, and insulted, as she was by the Peacock, it all begins to feel more like a yearning for her place, than freedom. Floating along the wind, Feather becomes more despondent, until she finally finds home, and recognizes exactly where she belongs.
The drawings are really quite unique and lovely, very intricate and delicate illustrations, rich, deep, and colourful. Mello is Brazilian, but you can see the Chinese influence in some of the illustrations, as well, it felt to me like a artistically perfect blend of the two cultures. The story flows in a quietly thoughtful, meditative way that is will capture the hearts and minds of parents and the children they will want to read this to, as well as prompting opportunities for questions or thoughts about the need to belong to something greater than oneself.
From the moment Feather questions who she belongs to, my mind heard Irene Cara (of course) singing “Out Here On My Own”
“Sometimes I wonder
Where I've been
Who I am, do I fit in?
Make-believing is hard alone
Out here, on my own”
“We're always proving
Who we are
Always reaching
For that rising star
To guide me far
And shine me home
Out here, on my own”
“Out Here On My Own” sung by Irene Cara, written by Lesley Gore and Michael Gore
Recommended – Children Up to Age 8
Pub Date: 10 Oct 2017
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Archipelago Books / Elsewhere Editions
January 20, 2019
There are some picture books that just wouldn't appeal to children. This is probably one of them. It has the same basic plot as P. D. Eastman's Are You My Mother? but without the cute illustrations or PG story. (In fact, Feather involves blood and death. It's the circle of life, but it's pretty brutal for what's supposed to be a meditative picture book.)
I didn't like the illustrations here. They're dull, simplistic, and often don't make a lot of sense. (We get decorative vases and koi ponds that don't seem to serve any function in the story; they're just there to look pretty.) The colour palette is muted and some of the birds look rather... well, impossible. They're heavily stylized and not very realistic.
A newly hatched baby bird looking for its mother is pushing it, but an anthropomorphized feather is just a step too far for me. If I'd come across this book as a child, I think it would've gone right back on the shelf after the first few pages (which is probably a good thing; I wouldn't have gotten to the poor skylark being eaten).
I didn't like the illustrations here. They're dull, simplistic, and often don't make a lot of sense. (We get decorative vases and koi ponds that don't seem to serve any function in the story; they're just there to look pretty.) The colour palette is muted and some of the birds look rather... well, impossible. They're heavily stylized and not very realistic.
A newly hatched baby bird looking for its mother is pushing it, but an anthropomorphized feather is just a step too far for me. If I'd come across this book as a child, I think it would've gone right back on the shelf after the first few pages (which is probably a good thing; I wouldn't have gotten to the poor skylark being eaten).
November 11, 2017
It was one of those days at the Library where there was a lot to do & a lot going on. Then, in the midst of it all, a cart of new books was brought to me to process before delivering it to the Youth Services dept. & time stopped. I love to see the new books that the Library has purchased before they go out on the shelves. I became enchanted with this book in particular & put it aside to checkout & savor at home. It is absolutely stunning from cover to cover! The art is a visual feast & I became totally immersed as I read the story. I may just have to buy a copy for my personal library.
February 10, 2021
Chinese author Cao Wenxuan and Brazilian illustrator Roger Mello join forces to explore the journey of a feather in this contemplative, philosophical picture-book. Overhearing a girl wondering what bird species she comes from, the feather begins to wonder herself, asking every bird she encounters if she belongs to them. Meeting a wide variety of avian life, from the vain peacock to the kindly skylark, the indifferent kingfisher to the fierce hawk, the feather finds no one who will claim her, until one day, landing on earth, she sees a mother hen...
Originally published in China as 羽毛, Feather is a book that immediately stands out, from a visual perspective. It is a short, oblong book, much wider than it is tall, and features an initial section of pages that are not as long as the final section. The pages themselves are of vivid hues, and feature stylized depictions of the feather, and of the birds she meets. The background color of each page, in the initial section, stands in stark contrast to the deep green of the first page of the second section, which is partially visible, and which shows the feather, and the skylark who is kind to her - the skylark . I found the artwork and book design here striking, which did not surprise me, as I have encountered Mello's work before, in such titles as You Can't Be Too Careful! and Charcoal Boys , and have always found it interesting. The story was unexpectedly moving - unexpectedly, because I didn't think I could enter into the feelings of a feather, which initially struck me as an odd choice, when it comes to the anthropomorphization of objects and/or animals. Still, move me the story did, and I was struck by the author's comments, in his brief foreword, about the feather's journey being symbolic of the human journey.
Both Cao and Mello have won the prestigious Hans Christian Anderson Award, given every other year by IBBY (the International Board on Books for Young People) to the author and illustrator who has made a "lasting contribution to children's literature," so perhaps it should not surprise me that this book spoke to me, given the undoubted skill of its creators. That said, I have a fondness for philosophical picture-books. I'm not sure, on the other hand, that young children always do as well, and I'm not sure how appealing this would be to them. I think I would have liked it myself, as a young girl, but I was raised on books like Hope for the Flowers , which is very different in style to this one, but has a similarly philosophical bent. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so I'd recommend this one to picture-book readers who also like such tales, as well as to anyone interested in Chinese and/or Brazilian children's literature.
Originally published in China as 羽毛, Feather is a book that immediately stands out, from a visual perspective. It is a short, oblong book, much wider than it is tall, and features an initial section of pages that are not as long as the final section. The pages themselves are of vivid hues, and feature stylized depictions of the feather, and of the birds she meets. The background color of each page, in the initial section, stands in stark contrast to the deep green of the first page of the second section, which is partially visible, and which shows the feather, and the skylark who is kind to her - the skylark . I found the artwork and book design here striking, which did not surprise me, as I have encountered Mello's work before, in such titles as You Can't Be Too Careful! and Charcoal Boys , and have always found it interesting. The story was unexpectedly moving - unexpectedly, because I didn't think I could enter into the feelings of a feather, which initially struck me as an odd choice, when it comes to the anthropomorphization of objects and/or animals. Still, move me the story did, and I was struck by the author's comments, in his brief foreword, about the feather's journey being symbolic of the human journey.
Both Cao and Mello have won the prestigious Hans Christian Anderson Award, given every other year by IBBY (the International Board on Books for Young People) to the author and illustrator who has made a "lasting contribution to children's literature," so perhaps it should not surprise me that this book spoke to me, given the undoubted skill of its creators. That said, I have a fondness for philosophical picture-books. I'm not sure, on the other hand, that young children always do as well, and I'm not sure how appealing this would be to them. I think I would have liked it myself, as a young girl, but I was raised on books like Hope for the Flowers , which is very different in style to this one, but has a similarly philosophical bent. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, so I'd recommend this one to picture-book readers who also like such tales, as well as to anyone interested in Chinese and/or Brazilian children's literature.
April 25, 2019
I'm fond of fables, whether by Aesop, Thurber, Fynn or Silverstein, if they're sincere and/or funny. I'm not fond of pretension, whether Celestine P. or J.L. Seagull or Life of Pi... Given that author and illustrator both put their "look at this wonderful thing I did" notes at the beginning of the book, and given that the book design is all "look at my heavy paper and my sideways format etc." and given that we already have *so many* other picturebooks on the theme, I was afraid that this would be the latter.
Well, I was almost wrong. This does almost succeed. I do like some of the art work. I like that there's one drop of red blood to give this book some significance and to make it clear that it's not for the youngest children.
But overall, I think this is a book for artists & adults, and I do not recommend it to any of my friends.
Well, I was almost wrong. This does almost succeed. I do like some of the art work. I like that there's one drop of red blood to give this book some significance and to make it clear that it's not for the youngest children.
But overall, I think this is a book for artists & adults, and I do not recommend it to any of my friends.
June 17, 2017
Eh, I think this might have lost something in the translation. Having read another book about feathers, that was actually fun, I did not find this to be fun, and it isn't that beautiful a picture book, and too many words for kids to enjoy it.
A feather tries to find where it came from. In the journey a hawk eats a skylark. It turns out it is a chicken feather. THe end.
Sorry, just not that engaging. It's ok, but not really for kids
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
A feather tries to find where it came from. In the journey a hawk eats a skylark. It turns out it is a chicken feather. THe end.
Sorry, just not that engaging. It's ok, but not really for kids
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
October 14, 2021
Feather by Cao Wenxuan was translated from Chinese by Chloe Garcia Roberts. It told the story of a lost feather looking for the bird it belonged to. The philosophical feather asks each different bird, “Do I belong to you?” Each time, the answer is no. We continue to follow the feather’s journey as she discovers beauty in her circumstances of being close to the earth.
I found this picture book as a recommendation in Children’s Books in Children’s Hands. Cao Wenxuan is also a 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award winner. I watched a recording of the book on Youtube. This digital version had moving pictures by illustrator Roger Mello, so you could actually see the feather gently drifting along. I think that this version added a lot of gentleness to the story. This book would be perfect for kids ages 3 - 7.
I would use this book in my classroom to show my students that books can come from all over the world. In this instance, Feather is a very popular children’s story in China. I could also find another book from China to share alongside it, that has more diversity in its characters. I could also use this book for social-emotional learning, as it could help lead to a discussion on belonging.
I found this picture book as a recommendation in Children’s Books in Children’s Hands. Cao Wenxuan is also a 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award winner. I watched a recording of the book on Youtube. This digital version had moving pictures by illustrator Roger Mello, so you could actually see the feather gently drifting along. I think that this version added a lot of gentleness to the story. This book would be perfect for kids ages 3 - 7.
I would use this book in my classroom to show my students that books can come from all over the world. In this instance, Feather is a very popular children’s story in China. I could also find another book from China to share alongside it, that has more diversity in its characters. I could also use this book for social-emotional learning, as it could help lead to a discussion on belonging.
March 19, 2018
In this simple story about identity, longing and belonging, a single feather, blown about by the wind, begins to wonder what kind of bird she belongs to after two children find her and ask the same question. As the wind carries the feather off again, she longingly thinks that perhaps if she belonged to a bird, she could soar high into the sky. As she is carried along, the feather runs into all kinds of birds, including a kingfisher, a heron, a cuckoo, a peacock, and even a magpie, asking each in turn if she belongs to them. Some dismiss her question, others ignore it, and the peacock is just insulted that a plain feather would be so bold as to think it belonged in his beautiful plumage.
Finally, a skylark offers to fly the feather high up in the air, but then the skylark meets a tragic end when a hawk attacks. Floating back down to the ground, the feather lands on a tuft of grass. Demoralized and traumatized by the hawk, the feather decides that walking the earth can be just as wonderful as flying. No sooner does the feather thinks this, but the sun comes out and a mother hen and her chicks come along. And yes, the hen is missing a feather.
Feather, originally written in Chinese, has a lovely nuanced folktale quality to it that luckily does not get lost in the translation. It is a poignant story about our desire to belong and to know our place in the world, however humble that place may be. There is definitely a philosophical bent to the story which is meant for readers as young as four years old, bit it isn't so deep that they can't handle the questions feather's story asks.
The design of the book is as simple as the tale being told. Each bird that feather encounters is given a two page spread on different colored pages, and illustrated not necessarily in a natural setting, but in various stylized ways and always highlighting the feather along with each different bird.
Most of us know Cao Wenxuan from his novel Bronze and Sunflower, so beautifully translated into English by Helen Wang. Cao, a professor at Peking University in Beijing, is China's best known children's author, and a very prolific one at that. Most of what Cao writes is taken from his own childhood in the 1950s and 1960s, including China's Cultural Revolution. In 2016, Cao won the Hans Christian Anderson Award given by the International Board of Books for Young People (IBBY). Hopefully, as his popularity grows beyond China, more of his books will be translated into English.
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
This book was an EARC received from Edelweiss Plus
Finally, a skylark offers to fly the feather high up in the air, but then the skylark meets a tragic end when a hawk attacks. Floating back down to the ground, the feather lands on a tuft of grass. Demoralized and traumatized by the hawk, the feather decides that walking the earth can be just as wonderful as flying. No sooner does the feather thinks this, but the sun comes out and a mother hen and her chicks come along. And yes, the hen is missing a feather.
Feather, originally written in Chinese, has a lovely nuanced folktale quality to it that luckily does not get lost in the translation. It is a poignant story about our desire to belong and to know our place in the world, however humble that place may be. There is definitely a philosophical bent to the story which is meant for readers as young as four years old, bit it isn't so deep that they can't handle the questions feather's story asks.
The design of the book is as simple as the tale being told. Each bird that feather encounters is given a two page spread on different colored pages, and illustrated not necessarily in a natural setting, but in various stylized ways and always highlighting the feather along with each different bird.
Most of us know Cao Wenxuan from his novel Bronze and Sunflower, so beautifully translated into English by Helen Wang. Cao, a professor at Peking University in Beijing, is China's best known children's author, and a very prolific one at that. Most of what Cao writes is taken from his own childhood in the 1950s and 1960s, including China's Cultural Revolution. In 2016, Cao won the Hans Christian Anderson Award given by the International Board of Books for Young People (IBBY). Hopefully, as his popularity grows beyond China, more of his books will be translated into English.
This book is recommended for readers age 4+
This book was an EARC received from Edelweiss Plus
June 14, 2017
This meaningful children's story captures such complex themes as sense of belonging, deceiving appearances, etc, with vibrant images that bring its lessons to life on the page.
June 20, 2017
Within a Feather, the illustrations and the narrative feel slightly disjointed from one another, while the narrative is okay and the illustrations are too; occasionally the quality of the illustration wavers in quality and excecution a little bit. I'm sure children would love it nevertheless.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me view A Feather in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me view A Feather in exchange for an honest review.
December 30, 2018
I love high quality bound books and this book is lovely. The pages are thick and the cover is superb. Unusual sized books (although difficult to fit on a book shelf) are another favorite of mine. They always pique my interest and I think other kids like unusually sized books too. Feather comes in at 12”x7” and I like the feel of the book in my hands. The muted Earth tones Mello uses in his illustrations contrast with other selected bold colors making visually stunning spreads. The illustrations accompany the story so well, I think Mello had a direct connection with what Wexaun envisioned when writing it. The book is translated from Wexuan’s story. Wexuan is a celebrated author in China and the English version has a definite folktale feel to it. The text is difficult for children to read by themselves, but I believe this book was meant to be a read-aloud and shared among generations within the family. The little feather seeking the bird he/she belongs to reflects the human struggle to define who we are and where we belong. The feather is rejected by many birds and befriended by one who is then mercilessly killed by a raptor. The feather eventually finds a place and figures out who he/she is but it is a struggle to get there. The story itself may be scary to younger kids, but parents and older kids will appreciate the complexity of the story. The publisher rates this as 3-7 years old, I’d say it’s more appropriate for 7-10. Please note I received a free review copy of this book.
June 23, 2017
My future Children's Literature degree adviser told me that she adored this book, but had only ever read a PDF version of it, never having held a copy in her own hands. I found this book in France before I even met her. So finally, months later, I had some calm moments and the time to just sit back with a cup of tea, my French dictionary, and read. My future adviser wasn't wrong one bit. This book is well-worth the praise she gave it.
Firstly, the book is longer than it is tall. That's what originally drew me to this book. I'd never seen any sort of book this dimension, and that's what initially made it fun and intriguing.
Then, the illustrations. With the book being my second language, I only glossed over the words before I began looking at the pictures. The colors are deep and rich, and the illustrations are incredibly delicate and stylized. It felt like I was looking at a book meant for a museum.
Thirdly, the words themselves, the backbone of a story. They were equal parts serious and light-hearted, and you find yourself yearning for the feather to find its origin. The various birds introduced had their own distinct personalities, and that's partially what made the book so entertaining--you never knew which bird was going to say what.
Overall, this book was simply enjoyable to read. I'd recommend this to anybody who loved Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman in their childhood, or to anybody who just really likes birds.
Get the full review here!
Firstly, the book is longer than it is tall. That's what originally drew me to this book. I'd never seen any sort of book this dimension, and that's what initially made it fun and intriguing.
Then, the illustrations. With the book being my second language, I only glossed over the words before I began looking at the pictures. The colors are deep and rich, and the illustrations are incredibly delicate and stylized. It felt like I was looking at a book meant for a museum.
Thirdly, the words themselves, the backbone of a story. They were equal parts serious and light-hearted, and you find yourself yearning for the feather to find its origin. The various birds introduced had their own distinct personalities, and that's partially what made the book so entertaining--you never knew which bird was going to say what.
Overall, this book was simply enjoyable to read. I'd recommend this to anybody who loved Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman in their childhood, or to anybody who just really likes birds.
Get the full review here!
July 13, 2017
Cao Wenxuan's Feather is the only children's book which I have chosen to include upon my Reading the World list. It has been translated from its original Chinese by Chloe Garcia-Roberts, and has been written by China's answer to Hans Christian Andersen. Feather felt like something a little different, both to read and to write about.
Feather opens with Wenxuan's inspiration for writing the tale: 'One day a great wind blew through Beijing. As I was walking into the gale I suddenly noticed a single white feather on the ground go fluttering and floating up into the sky... The feather was riding the wind with grace and ease yet at the same time precariously and helplessly.' He wonders about the fate of the feather, and in his book, has made it visit a whole host of different birds to find out where it comes from. Whilst this circular structure has been designed for children, Wenxuan writes: 'Underlying this simply story... are actually the core questions of human thought: where do I come from? Where do I want to go? Who do I belong to?' Essentially, he has decided to emulate the human desire of finding a sense of belonging.
Roger Mello's illustrations were my favourite part of Feather; they are both beautiful and quirky, and really augment the story. The writing itself is rather simplistic, as one might expect, but some very nice ideas have been woven into it. The use of the feather's own perspective is rather sweet and imaginative: 'How she longed for the sky! How she longed to soar!' Feather is sure to delight children with a love of art and nature. It is difficult, however, to know which age group makes up the target audience; the text is not advanced enough for a lot of children, but includes too many words to make it accessible to younger readers.
Feather opens with Wenxuan's inspiration for writing the tale: 'One day a great wind blew through Beijing. As I was walking into the gale I suddenly noticed a single white feather on the ground go fluttering and floating up into the sky... The feather was riding the wind with grace and ease yet at the same time precariously and helplessly.' He wonders about the fate of the feather, and in his book, has made it visit a whole host of different birds to find out where it comes from. Whilst this circular structure has been designed for children, Wenxuan writes: 'Underlying this simply story... are actually the core questions of human thought: where do I come from? Where do I want to go? Who do I belong to?' Essentially, he has decided to emulate the human desire of finding a sense of belonging.
Roger Mello's illustrations were my favourite part of Feather; they are both beautiful and quirky, and really augment the story. The writing itself is rather simplistic, as one might expect, but some very nice ideas have been woven into it. The use of the feather's own perspective is rather sweet and imaginative: 'How she longed for the sky! How she longed to soar!' Feather is sure to delight children with a love of art and nature. It is difficult, however, to know which age group makes up the target audience; the text is not advanced enough for a lot of children, but includes too many words to make it accessible to younger readers.
April 30, 2020
I found this book on the recommended book list in Children's Books in Children's Hands by Temple, Martinez, & Yokota. Archipelago Books does a great job reading this story aloud. I like it when they show the book because all you see the pictures in the book. The reader has a great calm and steady voice.
The story is about a feather that is looking to belong. The feather keeps asking birds if he belongs to them. The skylark is nice to him but suffers a tragedy. This took me by surprise in this story. Younger grades might miss the tragedy and the focus can be more on the rest of the story.
The story is about a feather that is looking to belong. The feather keeps asking birds if he belongs to them. The skylark is nice to him but suffers a tragedy. This took me by surprise in this story. Younger grades might miss the tragedy and the focus can be more on the rest of the story.
March 6, 2018
It wasn't what I was expecting. But instead of one star I'm giving it two because I think this ones all on me and not the book itself.
June 19, 2017
This is a good book for young children with a sweet ending. It focuses on a feather searching for the bird it belongs to. It reminded me in many ways of PD Eastman's Are You My Mother? It was one of my very favorite books as a child. Children can relate to the sense of belonging and wondering where they come from and what community they are a part of.
The illustrations were just okay. For the style they are, they are well done, but the style just doesn't appeal much to me.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The illustrations were just okay. For the style they are, they are well done, but the style just doesn't appeal much to me.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 18, 2017
Despite the abrupt ending, this was a lovely (especially the art) picture book!
April 26, 2019
This story just left me feeling bereft. Perhaps I am too tenderhearted. I often remind my students that predators must eat too--that spiders, lions, and hawks can't very well go through the drive-through at McDonald's or the grocery store to get dinner--they often reply back that it's "the circle of life." That said, I also struggled with the idea of using this story as a read aloud for several reasons, not least of which is the jarring episode between the hawk and the sparrow. For readalouds, I use a document camera and project the pages onto an ActiveBoard. Students are able to see the illustrations and the words very clearly and if there are seeming discrepancies between the words and the images, some students will latch onto them and get derailed from the story itself. I can see why the boy and girl from the beginning of the story may not be depicted in the illustrations. The section about the kingfisher refers to the bird sitting on a branch before it dives into the water, but the illustrations on the pages of that text, while lovely, show the bird sitting on a ceramic pot in a row of ceramic pots with fish. The next page does show the shadow of the kingfisher sitting on a tree branch, but it doesn't seem to flow with the words.
I think it interesting that the artwork is spare and almost dull except for the vivid colors of most of the birds. The font used does not seem to complement the story or the illustrations. Overall, as presented in the ARC, provided to me by NetGalley, I was disappointed. Perhaps something is lost in translation from the original language. Perhaps this story is simply not for me. I would be happy to re-read and re-review the title once it is finalized.
I think it interesting that the artwork is spare and almost dull except for the vivid colors of most of the birds. The font used does not seem to complement the story or the illustrations. Overall, as presented in the ARC, provided to me by NetGalley, I was disappointed. Perhaps something is lost in translation from the original language. Perhaps this story is simply not for me. I would be happy to re-read and re-review the title once it is finalized.
August 6, 2017
Feather is a beautifully illustrated book with a simple plot: a feather is searching for the bird it belongs to. It asks every bird it comes across, “Am I yours?” Like Webster J. Duck, he is searching for his place in the world, and he asks many birds if he belongs to them–a kingfisher, a goose. One sweet skylark kindly takes him up into the sky so that the feather can experience flight, and is summarily EATEN BY A HAWK right in front of the sentient feather. Nothing gory is shown but this jolting event feels very violent. Blood is shed, and the only friendly and helpful character in the book is the victim. The feather is in shock, and feels withdrawn in its fall to the ground. It lies on the ground for several days, then finds its place on a hen with a joyful family, and the feather thinks, “Ah, to walk upon the earth instead of flying up in the sky can also be wonderful!” What is the lesson here?
This book will scare the pants off of American picture book readers. My children are aware of the predator-prey relationship, they know where their food comes from, and they have seen animals eat other animals in books, but I would not even attempt to read this to them. The feather grieves and finds hope again, which is uplifting, but it does not make up for the shock of witnessing a gory death. The New York Times headline for their profile of this author was “Little Sugarcoating in Cao Wenxuan’s Children’s Books,” and they were not kidding. Despite the beautiful illustrations, I would not recommend this book. The story is not appropriate for a picture book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Archipelago books for providing an advance copy. My opinions are my own.
This book will scare the pants off of American picture book readers. My children are aware of the predator-prey relationship, they know where their food comes from, and they have seen animals eat other animals in books, but I would not even attempt to read this to them. The feather grieves and finds hope again, which is uplifting, but it does not make up for the shock of witnessing a gory death. The New York Times headline for their profile of this author was “Little Sugarcoating in Cao Wenxuan’s Children’s Books,” and they were not kidding. Despite the beautiful illustrations, I would not recommend this book. The story is not appropriate for a picture book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Archipelago books for providing an advance copy. My opinions are my own.
May 23, 2017
Gorgeous bookmaking.
Paperback translated edition now available in US through Elsewhere Editions. Not nearly the quality of the hardback edition, but the story remains strong and illustrations are still those of Roger Mello.
Paperback translated edition now available in US through Elsewhere Editions. Not nearly the quality of the hardback edition, but the story remains strong and illustrations are still those of Roger Mello.
April 13, 2021
Note: I accessed digital review copies of this book through Edelweiss and NetGalley.
March 30, 2020
به بهانه های مختلف مانند جشن تولد از خردسالانم می خواهم برای خودشان یا دیگران آرزویی کنند. یکی از تکراری ترین و همیشگی ترین آرزوها ؛ ارزوی پرواز در آسمان است. گاهی از خود می پرسم آیا تا به امروز انسانی پا بر زمین گذارده که وقتی سر بلند کرده و اسمان رازآلود و بی نهایتی را دیده دلش پرواز کردن نخواسته باشد؟
کتاب پر چائو ون شان من را به یاد این تجربه پر تکرار و آرزوهای کودکانه می اندازد. این کتاب قصه ی «تعلق» و « تعلیق» است. قصه ی «نسبت یابی» بین «من» و « جهان من».
پارادایم فلسفی که قصه در آن تعریف می شود کاملا شرقی است نمونه های آشنایی از چرخه حیات و طی طریق مرغ ها برای رسیدن به قله قاف خود بودگی را در آثار مولوی و عطار دیده ایم. خود شناسی و هستی شناسی پویا.
یک پر کوچک صدای گفتگوی دختر و پسری را می شنود . دو سوال مهم که به زندگی او مربوط است: اول: این پر کدام پرنده است؟ دوم: آیا می تواند پرواز کند؟
حالا پر باید به این دو سوال پاسخ دهد و از باد کمک می گیرد تا اوج و فرود و جا به جایی را تجربه کند. باد، تند باد و نسیم در طی داستان همراه او می شوند همان بادی که دشمنگونه تن نرم و سبک پر را می تواند بر صخره سنگ بکوبد می تواند او را یاری گرانه بر دوش خود نشانده به اوج ببرد. او می فهمد مرزهای دوستی و دشمنی در این سفر چقدر باریک و محو اند.
سفر و طی طریق مهمترین اصل از جهان خود برون شدن و به جهان بیرون نگریستن است و سفر پَر هم آغاز می شود . در این بین از ماهی خورک، کوکو، حواصیل،غازها،طاووس، زاغ،قو، اردک، مرغ چنگی و چکاوک و عقاب می پرسد آیا پری متعلق به آنهاست؟ پاسخ ها نه است اما او فرصت زیستنی کوتاه در دل ماجراهای هر یک از انها را می یابد. شنا کردن ، پریدن ، جهیدن ، اوج گرفتن و دانه بر چیدن و ماهی بلعیدن پرندگان را به چشم می بیند و با حس های مختلف تجربه می کند برگی از زندگی پرندگان را ورق می زند و اصطلاحا آنها را می خواند. همسفری در خشکی و آب و فضا …
برای «نسبت یابی کودک با جهان» گام اول این است که بتواند تشخیص دهد شباهت ها و تفاوت های یک طبقه مانند پرندگان یا خزندگان در چیست؟ گام دوم درک جبر و اختیار در دل روایت های شخصی هر کدام از گونه هاست و گام سوم کشف نسبت خود با جهان های پیرامون. در واقع سفری از تعلیق ها و نوسان به درون تعلق ها و اینگونه «هویت یابی» رخ می دهد و در نهایت فرد می تواند درکی درونی شده از «ارزش» های فردی و جمعی را کسب نماید. تلاش ، افت و خیر و تحمل رنج بخشی از توسعه شناختی هر یک از ما در مواجهه با دنیای بیرون است بخشی ضروری و اجتناب ناپذیر.
#مفاهیم_اصلی
تنهایی
تعلق
زیبایی/ نرمی/ سبکی
سفر
تفاوت/ شباهت
پویایی/ ایستایی
آرزو
پرواز
اوج/ فرود
رنج
چرخه حیات
#تکنیکهای_کاربردی
پرسشگری
کاوشگری
جرات ورزی
سیر و سلوک
رنج شناسی
همراهی فعال
معنا یابی
زمان مندی/ مکان مندی
تصویرپردازی کتاب هم ژانری تلفیقی از مینیمال پردازی و سنت گرایی است. تصاویری که ابهام مسیر را چند برابر می کنند و مانند نقشه ای هادی پَر می شوند. رنگهای اصلی با حجم های زاویه دار و منحنی دار . که هر بار یک گوشه مخفی یک کوزه سر بسته را به ذهن متبادر می کنند. گویی کودک باید کلید ها را بین شنیدن کلمات و درک خط داستانی ماجرا بسازد و درون قفلهایی بچرخاند که سالها بعد در زندگی خودش با انها روبرو خواهد شد.
به کتاب هایی مانند کتاب پَر می گویم #کتاب_بذری. فارغ از اینکه کودک تنهایی بخواند یا در جمع خوانده و به گفتگو گذارده شود بذرهای مهمی را در ذهن کودک خواهد کاشت و رجوع های مدام به کتاب اتفاق خواهد افتاد.
در این کتاب تمام مفاهیم هم بسته برای ایجاد شبکه ی مفاهیم جهان شناسی کنار هم نشسته اند . تنهایی/ تعلق/ شباهت/ تفاوت/ بالا/ پایین/ بود/ نبود/ مرگ / زندگی و ….
عقاب در اوج که برای بقای خود، چکاوک دوست داشتنی را شکار می کند بخشی از تابلوی چرخه حیاتی است که نیازمند مرغ خانواده دوستی است که با وجود داشتن پر توان پریدن ندارد. طاووس پر فیس و افاده بخشی از این تابلوست که چکاوک مهربان و یاریگر در آن قرار دارد. این زیر و زبر شدن ها این جنگ و صلح ها این بود و نبودها تنها عامل بقا و چرخیدن فاعلانه حیات در جهان است. جهانی که درون و برون کودک جان می گیرد و ادامه می یابد.
امتیاز من به ایده، پرداخت، تصویرگری ، کیفیت فنی کتاب پنج ستاره طلایی است. کتاب پر را در قفسه ی کتابخانه خود در دسترس بگذارید، کتابی است که دلتنگش می شوید و کودکتان سالها با پر درون آن می خوابد و بیدار می شود و زندگی خواهد کرد.
کتاب پر چائو ون شان من را به یاد این تجربه پر تکرار و آرزوهای کودکانه می اندازد. این کتاب قصه ی «تعلق» و « تعلیق» است. قصه ی «نسبت یابی» بین «من» و « جهان من».
پارادایم فلسفی که قصه در آن تعریف می شود کاملا شرقی است نمونه های آشنایی از چرخه حیات و طی طریق مرغ ها برای رسیدن به قله قاف خود بودگی را در آثار مولوی و عطار دیده ایم. خود شناسی و هستی شناسی پویا.
یک پر کوچک صدای گفتگوی دختر و پسری را می شنود . دو سوال مهم که به زندگی او مربوط است: اول: این پر کدام پرنده است؟ دوم: آیا می تواند پرواز کند؟
حالا پر باید به این دو سوال پاسخ دهد و از باد کمک می گیرد تا اوج و فرود و جا به جایی را تجربه کند. باد، تند باد و نسیم در طی داستان همراه او می شوند همان بادی که دشمنگونه تن نرم و سبک پر را می تواند بر صخره سنگ بکوبد می تواند او را یاری گرانه بر دوش خود نشانده به اوج ببرد. او می فهمد مرزهای دوستی و دشمنی در این سفر چقدر باریک و محو اند.
سفر و طی طریق مهمترین اصل از جهان خود برون شدن و به جهان بیرون نگریستن است و سفر پَر هم آغاز می شود . در این بین از ماهی خورک، کوکو، حواصیل،غازها،طاووس، زاغ،قو، اردک، مرغ چنگی و چکاوک و عقاب می پرسد آیا پری متعلق به آنهاست؟ پاسخ ها نه است اما او فرصت زیستنی کوتاه در دل ماجراهای هر یک از انها را می یابد. شنا کردن ، پریدن ، جهیدن ، اوج گرفتن و دانه بر چیدن و ماهی بلعیدن پرندگان را به چشم می بیند و با حس های مختلف تجربه می کند برگی از زندگی پرندگان را ورق می زند و اصطلاحا آنها را می خواند. همسفری در خشکی و آب و فضا …
برای «نسبت یابی کودک با جهان» گام اول این است که بتواند تشخیص دهد شباهت ها و تفاوت های یک طبقه مانند پرندگان یا خزندگان در چیست؟ گام دوم درک جبر و اختیار در دل روایت های شخصی هر کدام از گونه هاست و گام سوم کشف نسبت خود با جهان های پیرامون. در واقع سفری از تعلیق ها و نوسان به درون تعلق ها و اینگونه «هویت یابی» رخ می دهد و در نهایت فرد می تواند درکی درونی شده از «ارزش» های فردی و جمعی را کسب نماید. تلاش ، افت و خیر و تحمل رنج بخشی از توسعه شناختی هر یک از ما در مواجهه با دنیای بیرون است بخشی ضروری و اجتناب ناپذیر.
#مفاهیم_اصلی
تنهایی
تعلق
زیبایی/ نرمی/ سبکی
سفر
تفاوت/ شباهت
پویایی/ ایستایی
آرزو
پرواز
اوج/ فرود
رنج
چرخه حیات
#تکنیکهای_کاربردی
پرسشگری
کاوشگری
جرات ورزی
سیر و سلوک
رنج شناسی
همراهی فعال
معنا یابی
زمان مندی/ مکان مندی
تصویرپردازی کتاب هم ژانری تلفیقی از مینیمال پردازی و سنت گرایی است. تصاویری که ابهام مسیر را چند برابر می کنند و مانند نقشه ای هادی پَر می شوند. رنگهای اصلی با حجم های زاویه دار و منحنی دار . که هر بار یک گوشه مخفی یک کوزه سر بسته را به ذهن متبادر می کنند. گویی کودک باید کلید ها را بین شنیدن کلمات و درک خط داستانی ماجرا بسازد و درون قفلهایی بچرخاند که سالها بعد در زندگی خودش با انها روبرو خواهد شد.
به کتاب هایی مانند کتاب پَر می گویم #کتاب_بذری. فارغ از اینکه کودک تنهایی بخواند یا در جمع خوانده و به گفتگو گذارده شود بذرهای مهمی را در ذهن کودک خواهد کاشت و رجوع های مدام به کتاب اتفاق خواهد افتاد.
در این کتاب تمام مفاهیم هم بسته برای ایجاد شبکه ی مفاهیم جهان شناسی کنار هم نشسته اند . تنهایی/ تعلق/ شباهت/ تفاوت/ بالا/ پایین/ بود/ نبود/ مرگ / زندگی و ….
عقاب در اوج که برای بقای خود، چکاوک دوست داشتنی را شکار می کند بخشی از تابلوی چرخه حیاتی است که نیازمند مرغ خانواده دوستی است که با وجود داشتن پر توان پریدن ندارد. طاووس پر فیس و افاده بخشی از این تابلوست که چکاوک مهربان و یاریگر در آن قرار دارد. این زیر و زبر شدن ها این جنگ و صلح ها این بود و نبودها تنها عامل بقا و چرخیدن فاعلانه حیات در جهان است. جهانی که درون و برون کودک جان می گیرد و ادامه می یابد.
امتیاز من به ایده، پرداخت، تصویرگری ، کیفیت فنی کتاب پنج ستاره طلایی است. کتاب پر را در قفسه ی کتابخانه خود در دسترس بگذارید، کتابی است که دلتنگش می شوید و کودکتان سالها با پر درون آن می خوابد و بیدار می شود و زندگی خواهد کرد.
February 11, 2019
Feather is a picture book originally published in China. The author tells the story of a sole feather, looking for “who it belongs to.” The feather comes across different variations of birds and continues to ask “am I yours?” until the feather finally finds its’ place with a mother hen.
Though I can appreciate the art and the message of the book, I cannot say it resonated with me or that I was particularly moved by it. However, there is nothing I can really “critique” about the book as I think many children would enjoy it. Even though it is a picture book with pretty simple words and illustrations, I think it could be used with middle or even high school students. I found there to be an overall very mature theme of “what is my place in the world?” or “where do I belong?” Older students would be able to analyze this deeper message and use it for discussion purposes. However, I am not sure if older students would take the book seriously as on the surface it is much more appealing for young students. Younger students would be able to understand the basic plot of the feather looking for its’ place and finally finding the hen by the end, so one way it could be used with young students is to work on story sequence, since students could work on identifying all the birds the feather passes and the order in which they are encountered. If I could identify a concept such as this one, I would use this book with young elementary students because I think the illustrations are very unique and would be something different to expose the students to and to talk about authors and books from other countries. It is difficult to find children’s books published in other countries, so, even though it is not my personal favorite, I would use it for the purpose of expanding children’s world view, and because I like the message the story is conveying. Even though young students may not be able to see the deeper meaning, they would be able to identify with the feather feeling left out and lonely, and this could open up a lesson on SEL skills and being kind to one another.
Though I can appreciate the art and the message of the book, I cannot say it resonated with me or that I was particularly moved by it. However, there is nothing I can really “critique” about the book as I think many children would enjoy it. Even though it is a picture book with pretty simple words and illustrations, I think it could be used with middle or even high school students. I found there to be an overall very mature theme of “what is my place in the world?” or “where do I belong?” Older students would be able to analyze this deeper message and use it for discussion purposes. However, I am not sure if older students would take the book seriously as on the surface it is much more appealing for young students. Younger students would be able to understand the basic plot of the feather looking for its’ place and finally finding the hen by the end, so one way it could be used with young students is to work on story sequence, since students could work on identifying all the birds the feather passes and the order in which they are encountered. If I could identify a concept such as this one, I would use this book with young elementary students because I think the illustrations are very unique and would be something different to expose the students to and to talk about authors and books from other countries. It is difficult to find children’s books published in other countries, so, even though it is not my personal favorite, I would use it for the purpose of expanding children’s world view, and because I like the message the story is conveying. Even though young students may not be able to see the deeper meaning, they would be able to identify with the feather feeling left out and lonely, and this could open up a lesson on SEL skills and being kind to one another.
October 19, 2020
I found the author of "Feather", Cao Wenxuan, on the list of Hans Christian Andersen Award winners. Wenxaun was the first Chinese author to win this award when he won in 2016. I read this book on the Libby app.
The illustrations in this book consist of bold, solid backgrounds with an emphasis on different types of birds. Each bird is layered with texture and pattern, calling attention to their unique personalities. Roger Mello, the illustrator, mentions in his foreword, "There are feathers that protect, feathers designed to fly, feather that warm the bodies of busy birds with tenderness." These incredible details could lend themselves to a science activity or a supplement for an art lesson.
The story follows the journey of a single feather, as she tries to find which bird she came from. The theme of belonging is evident in this story. There is a repetitive structure in Wenxaun's writing, which seems intentional for children, however, the elements of philosophical questioning and the deeper themes of life's purpose would make this book an interesting addition to a middle school or high school class. Challenging students to ask themselves, "Who do I belong to? Where do I come from and where do I want to go?". This could be a thought-provoking activity for high school seniors as they move on to the next chapter of their lives.
The illustrations in this book consist of bold, solid backgrounds with an emphasis on different types of birds. Each bird is layered with texture and pattern, calling attention to their unique personalities. Roger Mello, the illustrator, mentions in his foreword, "There are feathers that protect, feathers designed to fly, feather that warm the bodies of busy birds with tenderness." These incredible details could lend themselves to a science activity or a supplement for an art lesson.
The story follows the journey of a single feather, as she tries to find which bird she came from. The theme of belonging is evident in this story. There is a repetitive structure in Wenxaun's writing, which seems intentional for children, however, the elements of philosophical questioning and the deeper themes of life's purpose would make this book an interesting addition to a middle school or high school class. Challenging students to ask themselves, "Who do I belong to? Where do I come from and where do I want to go?". This could be a thought-provoking activity for high school seniors as they move on to the next chapter of their lives.
April 10, 2019
It's a beautiful story of a feather looking for it's source. The animated voice and thoughts going through it's mind calls for belongingness to someone, something and uncanny sense of the quest for it's origin. I loved the narrative, the subtle pictures and unique presentation. Above all, I loved it's simplicity and rectangular layout. It's different and cleverly presented to add curiosity. From a child reader's perspective it also invokes questions of why and what and forces them to look further, explore the pictures and text on next page.
In my after school program, this book was loved by two girls who also read it to group of young children. The illustrations were particularly fascinating as said by one of the girls, and inspired her to create a picture book of her own. As a teacher, it is great book for open ended questions and group discussions based on wide range of topics like nature and birds. It can also can be a starting point for creating a science journal of types of birds and types of feathers.
In my after school program, this book was loved by two girls who also read it to group of young children. The illustrations were particularly fascinating as said by one of the girls, and inspired her to create a picture book of her own. As a teacher, it is great book for open ended questions and group discussions based on wide range of topics like nature and birds. It can also can be a starting point for creating a science journal of types of birds and types of feathers.
April 29, 2020
Like the story Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman, Feather is a story about, like the title suggests, a feather, who is trying to find where in the world it belongs. The feather travels through the air floating from one bird to another asking if it belongs to them. A kind skylark takes the feather soaring into the air, although it doesn't belong to this bird, and drops it. As it floats gently down to the ground, the skylark meets it doom in an encounter with a fierce hawk, which is represented by a single drop of blood, and the feather decides walking on the ground might be better. It is then that the feather discovers its place.
I am grateful to Archipelago Books who posted this authentic story, which was beautifully translated from Chinese, read aloud eloquently with some added animation on YouTube. I discovered this book from the recommended book list in Children's Books in Children's Hands by Temple, Martinez, & Yokota. This book is perfect for a comparison to Are You My Mother? in the early primary grades, but it can be enjoyed by students in grades preschool and up.
I am grateful to Archipelago Books who posted this authentic story, which was beautifully translated from Chinese, read aloud eloquently with some added animation on YouTube. I discovered this book from the recommended book list in Children's Books in Children's Hands by Temple, Martinez, & Yokota. This book is perfect for a comparison to Are You My Mother? in the early primary grades, but it can be enjoyed by students in grades preschool and up.
October 13, 2020
“Feather” by Wenxuan Cao translated by Chole Garcia Roberts is recommended in the textbook Children’s Books in Children’s Hands and can be listened to as a read aloud on YouTube. A feather blows aimlessly in the wind constantly asking other birds if she belongs to them. The answer is always the same, “no.” As soon as the feather begins to accept that she is alone, she gets reunited with her bird. Listening to the text on YouTube really helped bring the idea of a floating feather in the wind to life through the illustration and animation that is included. The plot is somewhat predictable, so it would be an easy read for young children. This story also teaches valuable lessons of independence and journeys. In all, this book is an easy, sweet read that could be helpful for an SEL lesson, but it is not one of my favorites.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2022
In his introduction, Wenxuan states, "I believe a good picture book comes very close to philosophy" and in this story, Wenxuan indeed comes close. The theme of belonging, who is family, what is my journey, and loneliness are all delivered, gently, in this Chinese import.
As a light white feather floats alone along the ground, blown by the wind, this way and that, it overhears a little boy and girl wonder, "whose feather is that." Little feather decides to find out. Approaching each bird in the sky, Feather asks over and over again, "Am I yours?" True their character, each bird responds in kind, until a kindly skylark behinds the little feather. When suddenly, a hawk arrives on the scene and... well, it's too horrific to describe the bloody scene.
Feather falls to earth dejected, until a mother hen, missing one feather walks by with her brood.
As a light white feather floats alone along the ground, blown by the wind, this way and that, it overhears a little boy and girl wonder, "whose feather is that." Little feather decides to find out. Approaching each bird in the sky, Feather asks over and over again, "Am I yours?" True their character, each bird responds in kind, until a kindly skylark behinds the little feather. When suddenly, a hawk arrives on the scene and... well, it's too horrific to describe the bloody scene.
Feather falls to earth dejected, until a mother hen, missing one feather walks by with her brood.
July 2, 2017
Hmmmm... I'd have to say I expected more from this young read. While the idea of a feather on a quest for ownership is OK it didn't feel like it was handled brilliantly. Part of that was me not taking to the artwork, although seeing it in real double-paged spreads and not on netgalley would have helped with that. Partly the story just felt a bit pat - the drama near the end of a good deed met with ill will jars with the pattern that the quest has established, and surely when you can float and flap at will like a feather the moral is not to seek the bird from which you come but to embrace being you and yourself alone? If the book was telling the young audience to soar of their own volition it would have been a more welcome conclusion in my mind.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews