The Language of Birds
by Jon-Erik Lappano; illus. by Zach Manbeck
Primary    Random House Studio/Random    40 pp.
12/25    9780593806654    $18.99

Mira has a special affinity for birds. “She paid attention. She watched the birds and learned their language. She drew them in her notebook. Eventually, she and the birds understood each other completely.” Soft, round shapes and a serene palette of warm greens and yellows help characterize young Mira as her connection to the bird world develops and strengthens. However, the lines and shapes of those around her turn red and chaotic when she realizes that interacting with other humans is more of a struggle. At school she befriends a crow but no classmates until new boy Jad, with a flair for art and a love of trees, shows up. “Mira wanted to say hello, but the bell rang, and her words just scattered away.” Ultimately, with an assist from her avian friends, Mira figures out how to talk to Jad through drawing. The act of working together to show a visual link between what each loves best results in an impressive picture and allows the pair to communicate at last. The lush illustrations use line, shape, and especially color to capture the feelings in the story and extend the poetic text in this lofty examination of art, companionship, and the natural world.

From the January/February 2026 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.