One Word and a Bird
By Stephen Michael King
Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray
One Word and a Bird is the newest picture book from celebrated author/illustrator Stephen Michael King. It showcases the power of words, both in the sense of their impact on a page, and in the sense of their influence on human development. It also speaks to their inadequacy, reminding us that sometimes a feeling, the sounds of nature, or silence can be just as meaningful. Quietly profound, it challenges the reader to question our need for external validation and constant forward motion, suggesting instead a return to self, to awareness of the natural world, and to love.
Of course, King’s great talent is for delivering such existential reflection in the form of deceptively simple, child friendly stories that can be accessed in many ways by different readers. The actual narrative follows a young traveller who learns how words can shape identity. First, they seek a word to make them feel tall — enormous, humongous or gargantuan. Then, a word to give their journey meaning — auspicious, significant or magnanimous. But nothing seems to fit. A series of quiet visits from animal companions, who share their own ways of communicating, eventually sets the traveller on the right path.
King’s minimalist text is poetic, blending simple and challenging words. His illustrations, in ink and watercolor, are characteristically expressive, perfectly capturing the mood shifts between sadness, solitude, and joy. The layout is also noteworthy with a well paced rhythm established by using font shifts and wordless spreads to literally represent the juxtaposition of big words and small, poignant moments. The final word – love – floats on its own white page, rendering it the most ‘significant’ word of all.
This is a picture book for all ages, beginning with young learners who can enjoy sweet animal characters and fun vocabulary, to adult readers who may find the search for a meaningful life relatable.
