The Little Bird in the Big Mountains
by Bulbul Sharma and illustrated by Sonali Zohra
“The Little Bird in the Big Mountains” by Bulbul Sharma and illustrated by Sonali Zohra. Published by Pratham. A story about a Spotted Forktail that brings alive the sights and sounds of life in the mountains.
Meera lives in a small village on top of a mountain in Himachal Pradesh. She can see the snow capped mountains right from the window of their kitchen. She wants to climb the tallest peak that she can see when she grows up to see what lies on the other side of the mountains. An exciting day lies ahead of her as she is going to the market with her mother and brother to buy new shoes.
Going to the market is quite an ordeal. The town is far and they need to walk for two hours to reach the main road. They have to then get on the bus to go to the town. Meera does not mind as she is used to walking one hour daily to go to school. As they set out, we get to see and hear the sights and sounds of the mountains through them. The simple joys of the mountain folk is quite infectious and we cannot avoid feeling joyful ourselves.
When they stop to drink water at a spring hidden by rocks and ferns, Meera sights a bird lying in the ferns. It turns out to be a Spotted Forktail. It has an injured wing and is unable to fly. Her mother picks it up and they decide to take it along with them. She decides to mend the wing. What do Meera and her mother do? How do they take care of the bird? Will they be able to go to the market as planned? Does Meera get her new shoes after all? Will the bird become alright? Will it be able to fly again? Does it become friends with Meera? Read the delightful story to find out.
My seven year old enjoyed reading the book. We had read it on story weaver last year and liked it. The birdwatcher in me was happy to see a book written about this beautiful bird found in the mountains usually near streams and rivers. Reading the book brought back memories of having sighted these birds in the jungles of Kumaon and Bhutan.
The book is a lovely way to do some armchair travel to Himachal. Can’t wait to take my seven year old to the mountains again. Sooner than later. Thank you Vidya Mani of Funky Rainbow for recommending this charming book! The book is level 3 and apt for children aged 6/7+.
P.S. - The story can be read online on story weaver here.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Pratham Books here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.