PICTURE BOOKS
Del Rizzo, Suzanne

Birds on Wishbone Street

(2) K-3 Del Rizzo (My Beautiful Birds, rev. 3/17) continues the story of Syrian refugee Sami, this time through the eyes of his new neighbor, Moe (short for ­Maureen). As Moe walks down her street calling out greetings in ­Italian, Spanish, and English, she notices a new family moving in. "We know it can be hard to move someplace new." She drops off welcome gifts--­mittens, a bird feather, and a mug for hot chocolate--and shyly introduces herself to Sami at the park. Del Rizzo's illustrations are made with polymer clay and paint, achieving a realistic variety of skin tones and a vibrant, three-­dimensional quality. She uses the clay to create lots of textures, such as the knitting on hats and mittens, as well as natural elements like snowflakes and trees, and she provides varied perspectives. The story is loving and gently paced, with the two children coming together to rescue a cardinal we have already seen in several pictures, each sacrificing a treasure to do it. An author's note includes instructions for making suet bird feeders and pouches woven from twigs for winter bird shelters.

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