The Song of the Nightingale - by Tanya Landman (Hardcover)

About the Book

"First published by Walker Books Ltd. (UK) 2020"--Copyright page.

Book Synopsis

How did the nightingale get its golden voice? A beautiful creation story answers the question.

The mountains, trees, and plants are young and full of color, but the animals are dull and drab, so the painter gets to work. She dabs dots on ladybugs and spots on butterflies, stripes on zebras and pentagons on giraffes. Finally, she comes to the very last creature--a patient beetle--and uses her special pot of gold paint. The painter is about to pack up to go home when a little gray bird flies out of the forest. The paint box is empty, but on the tip of the painter's brush remains a tiny bit of gold, which she drops at the back of the bird's throat. And when the painter asks the bird to sing, golden notes tumble from its beak. This timeless tale, with its stylish and striking illustrations, will appeal to children and adults alike.

Review Quotes

Using nature as a backdrop for this timeless story, Landman crafts a picturesque forest setting. . . Carlin's pictures convey soft, watercolor images and childlike handmade drawings that enhance the story perfectly. The colorful hues bring the narrative to life, and the use of black, gray, and white give a creative balance to the story's plot. . . the imaginative writing and use of color in Landman's tale will fuel lively discussions.
--School Library Journal

Landman's witty, fluent prose befits the painter's skill as the creator starts by "dabbing dots on ladybugs and spots on butterflies," and works up to larger animals. . . Carlin's loopy lines and painterly creatures give her images a freshness that suits a newly created world. And when the nightingale finally appears, and all the paint is gone, one small, final miracle occurs, giving the fable an enduring feel.

--Publishers Weekly

[Author and illustrator] create a world of colorful creatures and draw upon rich vocabulary to tell the tale.
--School Library Connection

Carlin's colors sparkle, and her velvety, atmospheric illustrations -- rendered in watercolor, acrylic, and pencil -- are like entering a dreamscape. She strikes a tone of mystery and wonder and plays with scale, perspective, and composition in exciting ways.
--Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

About the Author

Tanya Landman is the author of the picture book Mary's Penny, illustrated by Richard Holland, as well as the Poppy Fields mysteries Mondays Are Murder, Dead Funny, and other titles. She lives in the UK.

Laura Carlin is the illustrator of King of the Sky and The Promise, both written by Nicola Davies and both of which were named New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year, as well as The Iron Man by Ted Hughes, which was awarded an honorable mention in the Bologna Ragazzi Award fiction category. Her artwork has been featured in Vogue, the New York Times, and the Guardian. She lives in London.