A lovely picture-book celebration of the natural world, Mockingbird Morning follows a young girl through a summer's morning - awakened by a mockingbird's song, she ventures out into the sunny world - as she observes the life around her. The narrative is composed of fifteen brief poems by Joanne Ryder, exploring such wonders as the furry moss on a tree-trunk, or the quiet "room" created by the low-hanging branches of a willow. The watercolor illustrations by Dennis Nolan capture the beauty of each scene, and the girl's wonder at each experience.

I enjoyed Mockingbird Morning, although I think not as much as the friend who recommended it to me. The narrative wasn't quite as affecting as I'd expected, somehow, although I did find the artwork lovely. The dust-jacket blurb describes Nolan's paintings as "sun-drenched," and I think that is very apt. Less of a stand-out title for me, than a solidly engaging one, this is a book I'd recommend to young readers who enjoys stories of the outdoor world, and to fans of Dennis Nolan. ( )

This was one of the few storybooks that Owen would sit still for when he was a tiny boy, and one he demanded over and over. Simple, poetic and haunting, this lushly illustrated book chronicles a young girl's day. She is learning about how her world also belongs to all the animals, and she meets many creatures going about their work. The part that I love best is the interpretation of the dove's calls. The ending never fails to make me tear up a little. The writing is sensual, summery, languorous and soft.

This morning I heard a dove and I had to read it again.
One of my favorites, and one that Owen is not welcome to take with him when he moves out. ( )