Alberto lives alone in the town of Allora. His wife and son have died from a terrible illness that swept through the community. As a way of serving his neighbours at this awful time, Alberto has applied his woodworking skills to making coffins.

One day a beautiful bird flies into Alberto's home, followed by a young boy. Called Tito, this boy is, like Alberto, alone and lonely. Pursued by his cruel father, Tito needs somewhere to hide, . 

Man and boy quickly strike an easy and strong bond, and we see how they try to resolve the challenges they are each facing, overcoming their grief, learning to trust and heal themselves from their past. There's a gentle melancholy through the tragedies they've experienced, as well as the warmth, optimism and hope brought about through their friendship.

This is a wonderful book of magic realism which has a feel to me of a European folk or fairy story though it's actually written by an Australian. There are beautiful illustrations throughout by Anuska Allepuz, in a dreamy, magical blue. A story to treasure.