Kozo the Sparrow

by Allen Say, Allen Say (Illustrator)

Overview

**A NEW YORK TIMES BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF 2023**

Caldecott Medalist Allen Say's tale of a young boy who saves a baby bird from the local bullies is filled with compassion and empathy. Based on a true story and gorgeously illustrated, this story from an iconic picture book creator is not to be missed.

A young boy sees a baby bird quivering in the hands of a neighborhood bully.

Suddenly, he wants the orphan sparrow more than anything. He trades all his treasures for the bird and calls it Kozo, Little Boy.

But how will he keep Kozo alive?

In this painted album of memory, eight-year-old Allen Say talks about the best friend he made in his childhood.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063248465
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	10/10/2023
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	103,621
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, and came to the United States when he was sixteen. His many treasured books for children include Tree of Cranes, Allison, and the Caldecott Medal–winning Grandfather's Journey. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Allen Say was born in Yokohama, Japan, and came to the United States when he was sixteen. His many treasured books for children include Tree of Cranes, Allison, and the Caldecott Medal–winning Grandfather's Journey. He lives in Portland, Oregon.

Editorial Reviews

08/14/2023

Drawing this story from his experiences as a child in post-WWII rural Japan, per an author’s note, Say (Miss Irwin) offers a tender narrative about a youth who saves a baby sparrow from a group of village bullies. Though the protagonist usually runs from “the three bad boys,” they become interested when one holds, then pokes at, at a young bird: “Just then I wanted the tiny baby more than anything in the world.” The narrator bargains hard for it and names it Kozo (meaning “Little Boy”), working out how to help it survive (“Just like a mother bird I put the rice in his throat and he swallowed”). The two discover how to play together (over a cold noodle, “I pulled and he pulled back”), the child refuses to clip the sparrow’s wings, and the wild bird wins over both the youth’s mother and classroom teacher, who invites the protagonist to bring Kozo to school. Though the end to this childhood idyll is sharp and unexpected, the portrait of devotion makes the buildup all the more meaningful, and softly colored pen, ink, and watercolor vignettes give delight to the brief relationship between child and sparrow. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

★"A mature and moving story replete with both tenderness and cruelty. Highly recommended as a picture book for older elementary students and all those with an interest in illustration." — School Library Journal (starred review)

"Say offers a tender narrative about a youth who saves a baby sparrow from a group of village bullies. Softly colored pen, ink, and watercolor vignettes give delight to the brief relationship between child and sparrow." — Publishers Weekly

"This poignant . . . narrative navigates complex themes of friendship, loneliness, kindness, and bravery. A deeply personal tale that underscores the power of kindness." — Kirkus Reviews

"The narrative gently relates the progression of [Kozo and the boy's] mutually rewarding relationship and the meaningfulness of care and kindness, themes furthered in Say's soft, realistic, and expressive watercolor illustrations. Say’s endnote provides story background and context, including about growing up in post-WWII Japan and the real-life Kozo."
— Booklist

"Say’s pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations depict with equal clarity both the rural Japanese setting and the young protagonist’s quiet determination and devotion. An author’s note closes the affecting book." — Horn Book Magazine

From the Publisher

★ 10/27/2023

Gr 2–6—A heart-wrenching tale of a sensitive Japanese boy around elementary school age who, when he sees "three bad boys" with a baby sparrow, trades his most treasured possessions to rescue it from their malice. Taking the bird home, the nameless protagonist makes a nest for it and learns how to feed it, until it becomes a beloved pet he names Kozo, or Little Boy. When Kozo is again threatened, the protagonist must make a difficult sacrifice, with the touching climax related solely through images. The world the book presents is a poignant, but not a comforting one, with cruelty a continuing threat and adults not to be depended upon to provide security: the protagonist's mother almost lets Kozo escape, and a teacher who promises she will control the class is impotent when the children's behavior scares the tiny bird. The text has a vividness and immediacy which arrests readers from the opening line, with first-person narration with short sentences and simple language evoking the child's perspective. The evocative illustrations are created with pencil, watercolor, and dip pen and brush, and demonstrate a range of different styles: Kozo is rendered in naturalistic detail, the protagonist within his domestic sphere is depicted in soft pastels, while the bullies have a grotesque, goblin-like quality reminiscent of the work of Armin Gred. Say's author's note explains that the tale is based on his experiences as a child in Kyushu. VERDICT A mature and moving story replete with both tenderness and cruelty. Highly recommended as a picture book for older elementary students and all those with an interest in illustration.—Leonie Jordan

School Library Journal

2023-07-26
Letting go can be the hardest—and kindest—thing to do.

A beige-skinned, dark-haired, East Asian–presenting boy interrupts some bullies bothering a helpless baby sparrow and, in exchange for a few treasures, convinces them to give him the animal. Against his parents’ admonitions, the boy uses a straw to feed the bird and names him Kozo. Day by day, Kozo gets stronger and forms a special bond with the boy, chirping and flapping his wings with excitement when the child returns home from school. Even when Kozo gets loose outside, he comes right back to the boy. The boy’s teacher encourages him to bring Kozo to school to show the other children. Worried about Kozo’s safety, the boy nevertheless agrees when the teacher promises to keep a close eye on the class. However, the other children chase Kozo and frighten him, and then after school, the bullies return. To keep his friend safe, the boy makes a difficult decision to do the kindest thing, even if it hurts. Realistic illustrations rendered in watercolor, dip pen and brush, and pencil rely on ample white space to spotlight the boy’s connection with Kozo. This poignant yet straightforward narrative navigates complex themes of friendship, loneliness, kindness, and bravery. An author’s note explains that the story is based on an experience in Say’s childhood growing up in postwar Japan. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A deeply personal tale that underscores the power of kindness. (Picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews