Longing to fly, a near-wingless paper bird puts her creativity to work in this visually stunning follow-up to Lonely Bird.
One night, Lonely Bird has a dream. She wakes with the memory of riding the wind. There must be a way.
If Lonely Bird is a bird, why doesn’t she have feathers and wings like the birds she sees through the windows of her home? Why can’t she fly? A curious and inventive soul, Lonely Bird studies drawings of old-fashioned flying machines, conducts delicate experiments with feathers, and constructs her own little marvels as she pursues her elusive goal. Will the inevitable bumps and perils along the way ground her for good, or will she rise up to try again? In Lonely Bird’s second adventure, author-illustrator Ruth Whiting launches her artistic heroine on a tenacious exploration of identity, set in an enchanting miniature world that may just exist on the edge of our own.
SELECTION
| 2024 Junior Library Guild Selection
A little bird yearns for more. . . .This distinctly gentle, earnest protagonist’s quiet triumphs still resonate. —Kirkus Reviews
This meticulously crafted picture book explores self-discovery, the pursuit of goals, and above all, the importance of staying true to oneself. Each page is a beautifully painted world worth exploring—from Lonely Bird’s scrap glider blueprints to the limitless skies. Young readers and especially those struggling to fit in, will feel inspired by Lonely Bird’s nurtured dream and resulting inner discovery. —Booklist
Ruth Whiting is an artist and maker whose diverse works include oil paintings, kites, kinetic sculptures, and interactive installations. She has exhibited in museums, public spaces, and private galleries. Born in England to Australian parents, her travels and history are reflected in her art: the house Lonely Bird lives in is an echo of the author’s childhood lived across three continents. Ruth Whiting frequently collaborates with her husband, artist and kite designer Tim Elverston. They live in Florida with their son.
Longing to fly, a near-wingless paper bird puts her creativity to work in this visually stunning follow-up to Lonely Bird.
One night, Lonely Bird has a dream. She wakes with the memory of riding the wind. There must be a way.
If Lonely Bird is a bird, why doesn’t she have feathers and wings like the birds she sees through the windows of her home? Why can’t she fly? A curious and inventive soul, Lonely Bird studies drawings of old-fashioned flying machines, conducts delicate experiments with feathers, and constructs her own little marvels as she pursues her elusive goal. Will the inevitable bumps and perils along the way ground her for good, or will she rise up to try again? In Lonely Bird’s second adventure, author-illustrator Ruth Whiting launches her artistic heroine on a tenacious exploration of identity, set in an enchanting miniature world that may just exist on the edge of our own.
Awards
SELECTION
| 2024 Junior Library Guild Selection
Praise
A little bird yearns for more. . . .This distinctly gentle, earnest protagonist’s quiet triumphs still resonate. —Kirkus Reviews
This meticulously crafted picture book explores self-discovery, the pursuit of goals, and above all, the importance of staying true to oneself. Each page is a beautifully painted world worth exploring—from Lonely Bird’s scrap glider blueprints to the limitless skies. Young readers and especially those struggling to fit in, will feel inspired by Lonely Bird’s nurtured dream and resulting inner discovery. —Booklist
Author
Ruth Whiting is an artist and maker whose diverse works include oil paintings, kites, kinetic sculptures, and interactive installations. She has exhibited in museums, public spaces, and private galleries. Born in England to Australian parents, her travels and history are reflected in her art: the house Lonely Bird lives in is an echo of the author’s childhood lived across three continents. Ruth Whiting frequently collaborates with her husband, artist and kite designer Tim Elverston. They live in Florida with their son.
