BRIGHTNESS THE BIRD GIRL
written and illustrated by Annie Wood
Author-illustrator Wood’s picture book tells a tale of Brightness, who has the body of a girl, the head of a bird, and the world at her feet.
Brightness was “born of the sea, delivered to the sand,” and named by the Sun. She surmises that she was named Brightness for her potential. However, she has no wings, and being part bird, part girl, she doesn’t know where she fits. The birds won’t accept her because she can’t fly, and humans are scared of her. As a fledgling, Brightness found a blue feather: “She still feels like The Peculiar Bird Girl but at least… she’s The Peculiar Bird Girl with a feather in her pocket.” She also makes a list of things she can do: “I can have a picnic below the garden of suns, / when I focus on what I love, I have endless fun!” Wood’s inimitable illustrations feature colorful, abstract painted backgrounds with patchy sky, sea, and land, which contrasts with the heavy black pencil, pen, and coal of the sun and sea. Detailed penwork, depicting figures or abstract evocations of the narrative tone, guides readers through nuanced themes and emotions. The prose is sparse, elegant, and effortlessly poetic; the story’s conceptual nature invites conversation, creative interpretation, and critical thinking.
An examination of the human spirit with a singular protagonist and enchanting artwork.