Wings of the Albatross and Hummingbird Feathers

PLOT:

The protagonists of this short story are two birds: Albatross Chilo?, the biggest bird in the world, and tiny hummingbird Did?, the smallest bird in the world.

What these two characters have in common is the infinite desire to discover and see new places. However, the big difference between the two is that the Albatross sees the world from the top while observing its beauty in its entirety, desiring to rise above and search for breathtaking scenery, without caring to discover the beauty of the small details the earth provides. The small hummingbird instead is aware of the spectacular and minute paradise in which she lives. However, even if conscious of the physical impossibility, she fervently desires to fly over the sky and taste the flavour of the clouds and observe the sea from above.

Their paths cross when Chilo?, during one of his many long journeys, sees from above a small emerald island in which Did? lives and decides to descend and rest a bit. During this encounter the Albatross, thanks to the joyful and kind attitude of the Hummingbird, discovers the beauty of small details and of how wonderful the world is seen from below.
In order to return the favour he gifts Did? the dream of flying high above in the sky, beyond the clouds, making her taste the flavour she longed for and giving her the opportunity to observe the sea from above. As frequently happens in life, they live this dream together.

THEMES:

This short story combats racial prejudice and suggests seeing diversity as a learning opportunity rather than an obstacle. When diversity is accepted, it gives the opportunity of reaching goals and dreams far above our personal and singular capacities. It is a story that encloses, in itself, the strength of dreams and unity - both powerful personal growth stimulants. It gifts the reader the extraordinary valour of trust and the saving desire of seeing beyond.

The book not only describes the actions of the characters, but relates the feelings and thoughts expressed in various situations, playing a significant role in the events and in the telling of the story.

The vocabulary used, although appropriate for the age group to which it is addressed, is at times deliberately sophisticated, so as to stimulate reflection and the consequent acquisition of new terminology, perhaps through the explanation of a parent or of an adult. There are many amusing word games, through juxtapositions, assonances and the meaning of phrases, with the awareness that it is up to each young reader to make every little part of the story their own. The text includes onomatopoeic sounds, dialogues and descriptions, written in a lively, soft language that makes the narrative more captivating and lively. It is a book that contains many illustrations to help the reader understand the plot and develop imagination.

Fly now with your child between the pages of this book!