From the creative flair of Maggie Hutchings, who brought us Unicorn! and Your Birthday Was the Best, alongside Evie Barrow’s hand-drawn sketches that celebrate beauty in imperfection, we have a touching tale about the importance of kindness and truly seeing what surrounds you. Whilst this book does deal with some sad realities of our world, it also portrays a sense of hope and resilience through a simple yet powerful friendship between a small boy and Pete, who doesn’t have a home.

These two people build a connection through art. This begins with a gift from Pete to the boy: a yellow bird of flying sunshine, created on the pavement. As the little boy shares his appreciation and delight in Pete’s artwork with others, they too begin to see Pete and offer their help. The boy opens their eyes to what was always there in front of them – someone in need.

Claire Atherfold is the manager and the children’s book buyer at Readings State Library.