A poetic journey through growth, sensitivity and courage.

From the quiet darkness of the egg to the exhilarating moment of first flight, this lyrical picture book follows a young nightingale as he grows, listens, eats, fears, hesitates — and finally dares.

Structured as a sequence of gentle poems, the book mirrors the stages of early childhood: the need for shelter, the comfort of being held, the overwhelm of discovering the world, and the slow, brave process of becoming independent. When the little nightingale struggles to sing and feels anxious about flying, his parents’ patience and understanding help him find his own rhythm.

Yara Kono (Portugal) has won the Portuguese National Illustration Award (2010) and her work has been recognised internationally, including at the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition and Nami Concours.