My book review of 'A song of gladness' by Michael Morpurgo and and Emily Gravett

by Michael Morpurgo and and Emily Gravett
Recommended age: 3+
A song of gladness
by Michael Morpurgo and and Emily Gravett

In a Devon garden, a man talks to the blackbird on the tree, pouring out the sadness he feels for the world.

Blackbird listens and has an idea. He begins to sing a wake up call. Fox hears it and thinks it sounds a good plan, so he calls out to the deer, and the kingfisher, and the otter and the swallow.

The word gets out, with every animal from the leopards in the African savanna, to the hibernating bears and chimpanzees sheltering from the rain. Even the whales and the fish hear the song, and call out to each other.

Eventually the man learns how the blackbird has urged all of the world's wildlife to sing together. And he joins in too.

It's a simple idea, beautifully told, reminding us of how we are all interconnected. We all share in the need to protect and care for the planet and its creatures. It's a wonderful book full of joy, hope and gladness.

Date of this review: December 2021
Book publication date: 29th April 2021