THE MAN WITH PIGEONS ON HIS FEET

In this whimsical picture book, a man goes through life with two birds roosting on his feet.  

“Across the street, I want to meet… / the man with pigeons on his feet,” explains the narrator, a little boy. The two pigeons remain there through all kinds of weather and every holiday as he mows the lawn, walks the dog, or watches football. The birds dress up as bunnies for Easter and wear costumes for Halloween. The narrator especially enjoys watching the pigeons’ winter games, such as building a snowman. As the new year begins, the boy still hopes to meet the man and his avian companions. The book also includes a quiz and imagination-building activities. Debut author Trinkle draws on a long tradition of children’s nonsense verse. Sometimes the rhyme and meter work very well: “He mows his yard. / He walks the dog. / They hold on tight, through rain and fog!” Other times, the rhythm falters: “Thanksgiving is a sight to see. / Carving Tofurkey, / who’d believe?” That aside, the central concept is engagingly goofy and original. The book ends, however, where it began—with the narrator longing to meet the man—and thus feels unfinished. Debut artist Smith’s full-color, digital illustrations, which depict an all-white cast, are detailed, realistic, and lively.

Somewhat unresolved but amusingly absurd.