Bird House - by Blanca Gómez

About the Book

A little girl and her abuela tend to an injured bird they find in the snow, allowing it to fly around the living room until it is ready to be released.

Book Synopsis

A grandmother and grandchild nurse an injured bird together in this touching story about caring for all creatures, the wonder of nature, and letting go

On a snowy day, a grandmother and grandchild find an injured bird. They take it home and care for it until it can fly around the living room. It is fantastic--just like everything at Abuela's house! But a fantastic moment is also bittersweet, for the little bird's recovery means that it's time to let it fly free. Drawing inspiration from a formative childhood experience, Blanca Gómez crafts a deceptively simple story that is morally and emotionally resonant and is brimming with love, wonder, and a deep respect for the natural world.

Review Quotes

**STARRED REVIEW**
"A loving intergenerational relationship between a light brown-skinned narrator and their abuela is the heartening center of this tender narrative. A refreshing ending imparts a message of the significance of natural preservation and respecting animals' agency." -- "Publishers Weekly"

"Spare, simple, first-person text, narrated from the child's point of view, leaves room for the sweet, collagelike illustrations to pull readers' attention into the story and hold them in this magical space. The illustrations exude the warmth and coziness of a dear relationship between a young child and loving caregiver, and this cherished relationship is enhanced by the new friend they make together."-- "The Horn Book Magazine"

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Spanish author/illustrator Gómez's semiautobiographical tribute to her own abuela is a charming window into an idyllic childhood infused with love for all living things. This little gem elicits a sense of deep-seated comfort and refuge for these uncertain times." -- "Kirkus Reviews"

"The concise, well-worded text sets the tone and tells the story, while leaving plenty of space for the expressive digital illustrations to work their magic. Viewers can feel the chill in the winter-walk scenes and the brightness when spring arrives, but the warmth between the child and her grandmother is evident throughout the book." -- "Booklist"

About the Author

Blanca Gómez was born in Madrid. When she was a kid, she spent a lot of time at her grandma's. There, she ate bread with olive oil for breakfast, ran away from the cat in the corridor, and bumped her head on the corner of the table quite often. So it makes sense that the first book she both wrote and illustrated talks about her grandma.