The Woman Who Turned Children into Birds

Praise

With the cadence of a fable, the book revels in the deliciousness of language. . . destined to become a family favorite. . . A timeless message with modern meaning to spare.
—Kirkus Reviews

Almond’s lyrical text and intriguing ideas offer much food for thought.
—Booklist

A curious stranger brightens a small town in this buoyant picture book by Almond. . . It’s the tale of the Pied Piper, transformed into a story of freedom. With hints of Roald Dahl and P.L. Travers, Almond’s brief, electrifying tale champions defying convention and embracing risk.
—Publishers Weekly

Almond’s lilting, offbeat story is in keeping with his other books, which often have magic and children who are different. . . . Carlin’s dreamy artwork uses colored pencils to create vivid scenes of children in flight. . . The contrast between the drab city and the colorful feathered friends is striking.
—School Library Journal

Every page is filled with colorful, soft-focus sketches that perfectly compliment the text. This book would be a good addition to an SEL unit or as a read-aloud at the beginning of the school year to encourage children to be open to new ideas and to not be afraid to try taking risks to find things they enjoy.
—School Library Connection