Petals

Gr 3–5—Hoping to help his ill father, a young fox in the snowy forest searches for firewood when he encounters a tall, thin bird. Although both animals are anthropomorphic and wear clothes, the bird looks extra dapper in his suit. The bird helps carry the sticks back to the foxes' cabin. The bird's top hat is like a magician's, full of endless surprises, and he uses petals from the flower on his lapel to create a drink to cure the father fox. The three animals enjoy their time together in both sickness and health. It is easy to fly through this short, wordless graphic novel from Brazil, but it truly is one to savor. Stunning art and coloring depict cute, cozy scenes, and the panels and story are easy to follow. An abrupt sad moment near the end may startle some readers, but it is sweetened a little by the final panel, which stresses that our good deeds live on after us.