The song of the nightingale

In a storyteller's cadences, Landman (Mary's Penny) spins a tale about the origin of the nightingale's song. "The earth was young and fresh and full of color," she begins, but the animals are yet "dull and drab." Carlin (King of the Sky) paints green trees and scarlet flowers and animals--insects, birds, a squirrel, a lion, a fox, a snake--in empty outlines. "So the painter decided: SOMETHING MUST BE DONE" before assembling the animals, rolling up her sleeves, and opening her paint box ("It was going to be a very long day"). Landman's witty, fluent prose befits the painter's skill as the creator starts by "dabbing dots on ladybugs and spots on butterflies," and works up to larger animals: "She popped penguins into sharp suits and furnished flamingoes with features of delicate pink." Carlin's loopy lines and painterly creatures give her images a freshness that suits a newly created world. And when the nightingale finally appears, and all the paint is gone, one small, final miracle occurs, giving the fable an enduring feel. Ages 6--9. (Mar.)

K-Gr 3--This is a pourquoi tale about how the nightingale got its name and voice. Using nature as a backdrop for this timeless story, Landman crafts a picturesque forest setting with animals lining up to receive the perfect color from an anonymous painter who has noticed all the brilliance of the other aspects of nature. Carlin's pictures convey soft, watercolor images and childlike handmade drawings that enhance the story perfectly. The colorful hues bring the narrative to life, and the use of black, gray, and white give a creative balance to the story's plot. A painter uses each of the colors in her paintbox, one-by-one, for the fauna that has captured her attention. When it is the nightingale's turn, the only color left is a golden drop for the back of its throat. Combine with other origin stories, or inspire children to paint animals for their own reasons. Some may wish for more information about why the song of the nightingale brings joy to the painter, but the story of natural landscape and wildlife becoming aflame with color will serve story hours well. VERDICT Pair this with Kevin Henkes's Birds; the imaginative writing and use of color in Landman's tale will fuel lively discussions.--Tanya Haynes