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CM . . .
. Volume XIII Number 5 . . . .October 27, 2006
excerpt:
Bright, colourful illustrations and smooth, soothing language tell the story of Noor Nobi, a man of compassion and of selflessness. The story in this lovely picture book takes place in Calcutta, India, amongst the hustle and bustle and heat of everyday life. Noor Nobi works hard, sewing baby clothes. He lives a simple life and loves his children dearly, labouring seven days a week to feed and house his family. One day, a tragic accident takes his children from him. Noor Nobi can do nothing but live and breath his despair. Even the birds who once surrounded him while he worked, waiting for scraps of thread, no longer come to him. His sewing machine remains quiet and still. One day, he goes out and wanders the streets in the intense heat. Noor Nobi hears nothing, feels nothing and sees nothing. Later, he finds himself at a large outdoor market, and only when he sees cages and cages filled with birds does he stop to look. He pities these poor creatures who once possessed freedom and were now despairing. For the first time in days, Noor Nobi thinks of his children. He tells himself that he can not bring back his loved ones, but he can help these poor birds with their pain.
Highly Recommended. Ellie Contursi is a librarian in London, ON.
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He then buys a bird from the vendor and sets it free. When Noor Nobi watches the bird take flight, he thinks of his children again, and his heart is a little less heavy. Once again, Noor Nobi works hard for days, sewing dresses for babies. On Monday morning, he walks to the market and seeks out the bird vendor. He waits until the market is about to close so that he can barter for lower prices. The only birds left are small and sickly ones. Noor Nobi buys as many as he can, takes them home and nurses them back to health. When they are well enough, he takes them to the banyan tree and releases them one at a time. Finally, as he watches them fly away, he begins to cry. Noor Nobi continues to work hard six days a week. On the seventh day, he becomes the Birdman. People come each week to see what takes place under the banyan tree. Each week, the song of thousands of freed birds grows stronger thanks to Noor Nobi, the Birdman.