Feathers Together

Starred review from September 19, 2022
The creators of Ida, Always center a fictional stork pair based on a devoted real-life avian duo. “Rain or shine, Klepetan and Malena explored every season together.” Klepetan is cautious, while Malena exuberantly “jumped into it all with wings wide open.” Preparing to undertake their long annual journey from Croatia to South Africa, Klepetan says, “Whatever the weather, we’ll weather it,” and the two vow, “Feathers together!” When Malena suffers a wing injury and can no longer fly, “a kind featherheaded man” constructs a ramp to the storks’ nest. But it soon becomes clear that she can’t migrate with Klepetan. How to bear the separation? Though they decide that “being apart will be a new part of our together,” Klepetan isn’t sure whether or how to enjoy life without her, and Malena feels anger about not being able to join him. But the two learn and change, and the whole village celebrates their annual reunion. Levis imbues Klepetan and Malena with believably conflicting emotions, while Santoso’s graceful, naturalistic illustrations give the stork pair readable facial expressions that convey hurt, loss, confusion, and resolve. It’s a moving, affirming story of commitment that withstands change. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Emily Mitchell, Wernick & Pratt. Illustrator’s agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Assoc.

October 15, 2022
Grades K-3 Storks Klepetan and Malena are inseparable, and, anticipating their journey south, they agree, "whatever the weather, we'll weather it--feathers together!" But when Malena's injured, she's unable to fly, even to their nest. A "kind featherheaded man" builds them a new one atop his house (with a ramp for Malena), but come migration time, Malena's wing is still not fully healed. She encourages Klepetan to go anyway; "being apart will be a new part of our together." However, living separately isn't easy, and they never stop missing each other. Eventually, Klepetan returns, and while it's initially a bit awkward, they soon rediscover what they share. Enchanting, vibrant illustrations use varying perspectives to depict both whimsical moments and poignant and sweet interactions, like the storks exchanging feathers before Klepetan's travels. The birds' anthropomorphized experiences are sweetly conveyed in the prose, and young readers will likely have an easy time relating to the pair's struggles, such as missing a loved one. An author's note describes the real pair of storks that inspired the story.

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Starred review from August 15, 2022
Best friends must learn to enjoy life apart until they can be reunited. Bonded stork pair Klepetan and Malena do everything together, Klepetan inspecting the world around him, and Malena enthusiastically jumping in, each taking turns to tell jokes and a bedtime story. But then Malena is injured. A "kind featherheaded man" cares for her, building the pair a nest on his roof and a ramp so Malena can access it. But when fall--and migration time--arrives, the pair decide that "Being apart will be a new part of our together." They exchange feathers (the title is their catchphrase), and the man helps them through their final awful day: "Friendship survives all kinds of goodbyes." Slowly, the two learn how to be apart and eventually start sending jokes and stories to the clouds and stars as they'd promised. The author draws out the tension in the most delicious way, readers rushing to the end so that the birds can be reunited, and likely there will be no dry eyes in the house when the duo are finally once again nestled next to one another, feathers together. The digital illustrations give marvelous personality to each stork, their every emotion evident and so relatable for readers. The man is light-skinned; the village he lives in is a diverse one. The author's note gives more info about the real-life birds who inspired the story and about other influences: families separated by immigration, military deployments, and the pandemic. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A touching true-life tale with much wisdom for people who face similar situations. (Picture book. 4-8)

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