Grandpa and the Kingfisher - by Anna Wilson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Life-affirming and lyrical, this beautiful picture book celebrates the awesome power of nature and the circle of life.

Over the course of a year, a young child and their dog watch kingfishers by the river with Grandpa. As spring turns to summer and autumn to winter, the kingfishers raise a family, while Grandpa teaches his grandchild about the power of nature and the circle of life.

Written in memory of her father, whose favorite bird was the kingfisher, Anna Wilson takes readers on a lyrical journey through a year in the life of a kingfisher family. Stunning illustrations by Sarah Massini bring the riverbank to life in all its glory, while the powerful, intergenerational bond between grandparent and grandchild shows that just as spring always follows winter, hope will always return if you know where to look for it.

A positive story about life, death, and being a part of the natural world.

From the Back Cover

"Nature goes on like this. Nature goes on forever."

Over the course of a year, a young child and their dog watch kingfishers by the river with Grandpa. As spring turns to summer and autumn to winter, the kingfishers raise a family, while Grandpa teaches his grandchild about the power of nature and the circle of life.

A positive story about life, death and being a part of the natural world.

Review Quotes

Doggone Anna Wilson is excellent at what she does and this book is deeply touching without ever being treacly.--Betsy Bird, A Fuse 8 Production

In this slow, thoughtful exploration, Wilson (The Wide, Wide Sea) views death with emotional restraint, underscoring Grandpa's acceptance of his own fate as part of the greater cycle of nature, and then, moving forward, showing how the child has internalized the elder's words. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)--Publishers Weekly

A lovely intergenerational appreciation of nature and life.--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Anna Wilson (Author)
Anna Wilson's passion for the natural world shines through in all her work. A keen wild swimmer and advocate for protecting animals and nature, Anna lives with her husband and dog, cat, ducks, and a tortoise named Hercules in Cornwall, England.

Sarah Massini (Illustrator)
Sarah Massini has had a varied creative career as a corporate graphic designer, a children's book art editor, and now as the acclaimed illustrator of many picture books. She lives with her ecologist husband and her Scottie-dog Coco in Sussex, England.