Pigeon can fly freely around the city. One day he lands at the zoo. All of the birds at the zoo are in cages but pigeon can only marvel at their amazing qualities. Toucan has a beautiful beak; the ostriches have huge babies; hummingbirds can fly backwards; and flamingos can balance on one leg.
"The pigeon started to feel sad. It didn't seem to be very good at anything and it felt ... rather boring."
The pigeon looks at other birds - penguins, an owl, some colourful songbirds and a huge heron. Then the pigeon realises something we have known all along. He can fly! He can fly away! He can see the world and have adventures.
At the back of this book there is a picture glossary with further details about each of the birds including the pigeon - he is actually quite a remarkable bird. This book has the BEST end papers - filled with a glorious collection of feathers in every colour of the rainbow.
The idea of comparing yourself with others is not a new one and it is explored in other picture books but this one has the most beautiful illustrations so I do recommend you consider adding The Remarkable Pigeon to your school library collection. As a bonus the paperback version of this book is very reasonably priced at under $18. If you want to explore the topic of being true to yourself try to find If Only by Mies van Hout; Frog is Frog by Max Velthuijs; Feathers for Phoebe by Rod Clement and Be who You are by Todd Parr.
The art in The Remarkable Pigeon book is, as I have already said, very special. It reminds me of art by Ruth Brown. Take a look here to see inside this book.
Here is the publisher blurb from Salariya: When a pigeon visits the aviary, he feels very inferior to all of the other species of birds he encounters, with their colourful plumage and magnificent wingspans. But eventually the pigeon realises that he has something the other birds don’t – his freedom! The Remarkable Pigeon is a thought-provoking and stunningly-illustrated picture book that will enchant children and teach them the importance of not always comparing oneself to others and appreciating what one has. The large format is perfect for allowing parent and child to read along together and speak about the story.
Dorien Bowers is a graphic designer. The Remarkable Pigeon is her first picture book.
Over the last few years there have been some terrific picture book stories about pigeons - especially Gary which was short listed for the CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year award in 2017.
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