L’oiseau lyre, by Nancy Guilbert, ill. by Valérie Michel

A certain lyrebird sings the most beautiful melodies. Alih, the sultan’s son, falls under its spell and tries to lure it back to the palace. Alas, the musical bird refuses to leave its beloved forest. One day, Alih finds the lyrebird in an injured state. He nurses it back to health and tucks it away in a golden cage. Miserable, the bird stops singing as it pines away. Alih’s sister Yasmina begs Alih to let the bird go free but he refuses, even if it means risking the animal’s life…

Nancy Guilbert has concocted a melodious tale about respect for others, possessive love and individual liberty that comes to life alongside the vibrant illustrations of Valérie Michel.

Hardcover picture book, 23 x 32,5 cm, 40 pages