The Ostrich and the Lark is styled after tradition African folktales. The ostrich and the lark are fast friends living in the African rich countryside. The ostrich on days surprises everyone, most of all lark, with a big booming cry. The ostrich and found his voice at last! The illustrations are done by six members of the !Kung San people from the Kalahari desert in Botswana. The book has background information on these people and their way of life. ( )

Ostrich and Lark by Marilyn Nelson is a picture book about an unlikely pair of friends: an ostrich and a lark. Though both birds, they are as different as night and day. One is big and strong. The other is lithe and musical. And yet, they manage to find their common ground and become good friends.

What makes this book extra special is the artwork. It's done by a group of artists, all members of the Kuru Art Project in Botswana. While the style varies between illustrations, readers are introduced to a selection of modern day San artists who draw their inspiration from the rock paintings left by their ancestors. ( )

Beautiful art that never seems to quite mesh completely with the lyrical story. A lovely, unique work nonetheless. ( )