South

by Daniel Duncan

Overview

When a lonely fisherman finds an injured bird on his boat, he nurtures it back to health and—since the bird can no longer migrate with its family—charts a course to head south for the winter. Together, the two form a special friendship and enjoy life at sea until both the healing process and the journey must come to an end. In the tradition of the classic Amos & Boris, South is a story about making new friends and the bittersweet process of saying good-bye to the ones we love. It beautifully depicts the power of new beginnings and the freedom in coming home.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419722998
Publisher:	ABRAMS
Publication date:	05/02/2017
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 10.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

Daniel Duncan is a fresh new talent who lives outside of London. He graduated from Middlesex University with First Class Honours and a BA in illustration. South is his first picture book.

Editorial Reviews

…a lovely, wistful tale of cross-species friendship and the lengths we'll go to for "a fellow traveler"…Like the best seafaring picture books, this one both evokes deep, unaccountable emotions, and soothes them.

The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo

03/06/2017
A hulking fisherman in a cable-knit sweater discovers a bird (it resembles an arctic tern) huddled on the deck of his ship. He splints its broken wing and makes a bed in his dresser drawer for it: “All that was left to do was wait.” As big, wet snowflakes fall, the fisherman realizes that it’s time for birds to head south, and he changes course. Painting in pale, weatherworn hues, Duncan (The Adventures of Henry Whiskers) shows the strength of the fisherman’s resolve with a view from underneath the boat, where the anchor is dislodged so quickly that fish dart in all directions. The fisherman spies a small, palm-dotted island covered with birds and leaves the tern there with its mates: “It was time to say good-bye.” Then the fisherman remembers, with moist eyes, that he has a home to return to as well. Duncan excels at capturing emotion, and his spreads balance cinematic views of ocean life with warm humanity. While it’s a wistful read rather than a joyful one, there’s quiet pleasure in the intimacy between the solitary man and small bird. Ages 5–7. Agency: Bright Agency. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"The illustrations give a strong sense of comfort; scenes set in the cozy cabin are awash in warm browns and grays, in sharp contrast to the vast, cold ocean...others will just appreciate the romance of a temporary friendship on the high seas."

Booklist

"Newcomer Duncan has an eye for detail that shows from the opening endpapers...gentle stories of friendship are an important part of the literary diet for the very young."

Horn Book Magazine

"Like the best seafaring picture books, this one both evokes deep, unaccountable emotions, and soothes them."

New York Times Book Review

"The illustrations give a strong sense of comfort; scenes set in the cozy cabin are awash in warm browns and grays, in sharp contrast to the vast, cold ocean...others will just appreciate the romance of a temporary friendship on the high seas."

Booklist

2017-02-20
A lonely fisherman finds an unexpected seagoing friend.He sails the seas alone, the burly, white, brown-bearded fisherman in the knitted cap, strumming his banjo as he sits on the side of his modest wooden boat. A sudden noise attracts his attention: it's a tern with a broken wing, cowering in the boat's stern. The fisherman gently splints the bird's wing and devises a makeshift nest in the top drawer of his dresser. After its recovery, the little bird becomes his constant companion. But the fisherman knows that a boat is not a proper home for a bird, and winter is coming. Through his spyglass, he spots a lovely island in the distance, dotted with palm trees. It's time to say goodbye; the bird flies away to his new home. To remember his friend, the fisherman frames a single feather and puts it up on the wall of his cabin, then decides it's time to head home. The warm, detailed illustrations are the stars of Duncan's simple friendship fable. Scenes of the snug ship's cabin contrast effectively with underwater views; one dramatic wordless spread shows the small boat churning along above an enormous whale six times its size. The affection between man and bird is plain. Cabin decorations hint at a complicated back story for the fisherman, and readers will wonder why he is alone. Sweet and affecting. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews

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