Hope Is the Thing with Feathers

About this book

A foreward indies 2024 finalist for picture books! Emily Dickinson's beloved poem is beautifully brought to life by bestselling artist Tim Hopgood in this beautiful picture book that champions poetry and shows that, even in the darkest times, there is always hope. In Hope is the Thing with Feathers, readers follow the story of a little bird who brings joy to everyone through his song. When a storm hits, the little bird's song is diminished, but he never gives up, and when the storm passes he is there to give joy again as people rebuild. Backmatter includes information on Emily Dickinson, as well as an activity idea for budding poets."A wide-eyed child peers out her window at a small brown bird trilling on a tree limb. "HOPE is the thing with feathers," begins the story, "That perches in the soul." As Dickinson's tight language dances across the pages, the bird takes flight and travels through gentle rain and then gales before emerging in sunshine to land upon a branch before the child at the poem's end. As with his expressive interpretation of song lyrics in What a Wonderful World, by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss (2015), illustrator Hopgood (My Big Book of Outdoors, 2022) brings movement and a child-centered framework to adult text. The warm palette of the artwork conveys its optimism, and softly edged pencil, chalk, and ink images feature the singing bird moving resolutely forward. A brief biography of Dickinson and exposition of the poem are accompanied by a glossary and activity in the back matter, along with the poem in its entirety. This artistic interpretation breathes fresh life into a moving and familiar metaphor and is well suited for home and library enjoyment." -- Kit Ballenger