The One About the Blackbird

“An instrument unites loved ones for a truly emotional effect across this time-spanning story. . . . With repeated phrasing and symbols, Florence’s careful prose captures the strength of the pair’s bond, and the way music can help to power memory, even amid its loss.” —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly

“Mature-enough elementary schoolers should be touched by this understated heart tugger, but readers of any age will appreciate James’ mixed-media art, centered on a couple of long-limbed, tan-skinned guys who share, along with a love of music, unkempt hairstyles across the decades. . . . A hymn to intergenerational ties.” —Kirkus Reviews

“[A] quiet and gentle picture book in which a young boy wishes to learn guitar from his grandfather. . . . Florence’s words are soothing, and James’s illustrations work wonderfully with the text; muted warm colors bring the simplicity a story like this needs to thrive. Perhaps this is best for the shelves intended to help grandparents seeking to connect with the young generation.” —School Library Journal

“The mix of materials in the collage and acrylic paintings gives a dimensional appearance to some of the pictures, enhancing the visual interest. . . . This gentle story will be appreciated for the warm intergenerational bond it depicts.” —Booklist

“Melanie Florence helps us see that change does not mean loss, just a reconfiguration that can be just as rich as the original. . . . Whether the boy is hanging out with his grandfather, struggling to hold a guitar, or showing his grandfather how to move his fingers into position, Matt James makes us feel the effort of their attachment. The emotion in their struggles and their joys jump from the page, reflected in their faces, their body language, and their actions.” —CanLit for LittleCanadians