Angelo by David Macaulay

Blurb: High above the rooftops of Rome, Angelo begins his work restoring the façade of a once glorious church. There, among the sticks and feathers, he discovers a wounded bird. Angelo becomes the bird’s reluctant savior. As the church nears completion, Angelo begins to worry about the future of his avian friend. “What will become of you? Where will you go . . . where will you . . . live?” he asks her. Through his artistry as a master craftsman he answers the questions for his humble friend and assures that he, himself will not be forgotten.

While restoring the front of a church an old master plasterer rescues an injured pigeon and over time he gently restores her health. Meanwhile we watch as he works every day to restore the fragile decorations on this old building. He works through many years until eventually he dies but in a beautiful twist he does ensure someone will notice that his pigeon friend once lived there. He makes a nest and some feathers from stucco and in the illustration we see Sylvia (the pigeon) using this nest to raise her chicks.

Here is a video reading of Angelo.

In an old Italian town Angelo, a plasterer and restorer of buildings, rescues an injured pigeon and coaxes her back to health despite ‘his professional dislike for pigeons’. In turn, though she is a bit skittish, the pigeon becomes a constant support and companion as the old man struggles up and down the scaffolding finishing work on a beautiful old church he hopes will be his crowning glory. David Macaulay’s wonderfully intricate illustrations of Italian architecture and life seen from every perspective and the quiet story of mutual concern make this book quite special. Readings Melbourne

Here are some other reviews:

• "Tender and poignant . . . Drawn skilfully and freely in pen and ink, washed with shades of blue and terracotta, the pictures are full of events and details beyond the story, and depict the rooftops, the restaurants and the light of Italy in a way that makes you long to be there Nicolette Jones - The Sunday Times
• "Macaulay refuses to be confined by the conventions of the picture book." Booklist
• "Unassuming but affecting, this tale of friendship is bound to be popular with a wide audience." The Bulletin
• "The warm, offbeat story of camaraderie and nurturing is told in subtly humorous, succinct text, but it's Macaulay's winning illustrations that steal the show." Booklist
• "These intricate drawings are suffused with soft autumnal colours that perfectly complement the beautiful story." The New York Times Book Review

David Macaulay is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books have sold millions of copies in the United States alone, and his work has been translated into a dozen languages. Macaulay has won numerous awards including the Caldecott Medal and Honor Awards, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, the Christopher Award, an American Institute of Architects Medal, and the Washington Post–Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award. 

I picked up this book for two, or perhaps three reasons. I should start by saying this is an old book from 2002 and so it is no longer in print. Now back to my reasons. Firstly, this book is by an author/illustrator who does beautiful, detailed drawings. I loved owning his book The Way things Work in my former school library. Secondly this book was set out in a library display about Italy and all things Italian and our IBBY Congress for 2024 is in Italy and thirdly I watched the Teacher-Librarian relocate this book to her popular display with books that feature pigeons which is a topic enjoyed by the children in her school. 

Then when I read this book I discovered it was set in Italy and as you read this post I am about to arrive there! I am saying this book is set in Florence but most reviewers list the setting as Rome. So here is the page from the book plus the back cover and then an image of Florence and an image of Rome.

Florence

Rome

David Macaulay books:

Brick: Who found herself in Architecture by Joshua David Stein illustrated by Julia Rothman

This author of this book has been so creative and inventive. This is the story of young Brick who sets off on an adventure. In our daily lives we see bricks everywhere but in this book we hear from one special brick as she describes what she sees around her as she tries to find her place in the world. Along the way she explores architectural landmarks from around the world. 

"When Brick was just a baby, tall buildings amazed her. She wondered how anything could grow so big."

At the back of the book there are notes about all the places she visits: Malbork Castle, Poland; Malwya Minaret, Iraq; The Great Wall of China; and many others.

If you are reading this post and it is May or June in 2023 you might be able to purchase this hardcover book for a really good price - it has been greatly reduced by this online seller. Brick is a very different book but it is one you could use with younger children talking about finding your place in the world, with children who are interested in architecture or children who are about to travel overseas, or with older children who might be researching less well known buildings and temples such as The Ark in Uzbekistan and the Mahabodhi Temple in India. In an art lesson your students could photograph or paint or draw all the different types of, and uses of, bricks in their environment. Our hero Brick ends up as a paving stone. At my previous school we had a walk way of pavers like this to celebrate a school anniversary - exploring something like this could also be an interesting writing stimulus. There is also the social justice issue of brick kilns and child labour.  Read more about this important issue here which links with any study of the Rights of the Child.  And finally of course there are STEM links you could explore using this book.

Read more about this book in a blog post from Celebrate Picture Books: Brick, Who Found Herself in Architecture is an original and lyrical look at individuality, growing up, and finding one’s place in the world.

"When she could go no further, she sat down and thought some more. 'Great things begin with small bricks,' she repeated. Then she let go of the words and just felt the feeling. ... And then suddenly, it dawned on her. Maybe Brick could just stay right where she was. After all, her journey had led her exactly here. Perhaps here was the perfect place to be."

Julia Rothman is the illustrator of this new (and very crazy/appealing) book: