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Kevin and the Blackbirds
In a poignant and lavishly illustrated storybook, two revered creators give wing to the ancient Irish tale of a wild child with a heart of gold.
In lean times, a boy’s parents send him to a monastery to be cared for. After study and prayer, the monks let young Kevin run and play in the woods and fields. But the time comes when he must set aside childish ways. Shut in his lonely cell, yearning for home and the freedom of the outdoors, Kevin reaches through the window toward the light as two blackbirds land in and feather the nest of his hands. Kevin waits, day after day, for their eggs to hatch, and it’s not until the chicks spread tiny wings and fly off—three new wild things gone out into the world—that he can rest and the monks can see what they must do. In a moving first collaboration, a Hans Christian Andersen Award winner and a two-time Kate Greenaway Medal winner transform a traditional Irish tale—about the love of nature and the mercies of letting go—and make it soar.
In lean times, a boy’s parents send him to a monastery to be cared for. After study and prayer, the monks let young Kevin run and play in the woods and fields. But the time comes when he must set aside childish ways. Shut in his lonely cell, yearning for home and the freedom of the outdoors, Kevin reaches through the window toward the light as two blackbirds land in and feather the nest of his hands. Kevin waits, day after day, for their eggs to hatch, and it’s not until the chicks spread tiny wings and fly off—three new wild things gone out into the world—that he can rest and the monks can see what they must do. In a moving first collaboration, a Hans Christian Andersen Award winner and a two-time Kate Greenaway Medal winner transform a traditional Irish tale—about the love of nature and the mercies of letting go—and make it soar.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2024
About the author
David Almond
122 books836 followersDavid Almond is a British children's writer who has penned several novels, each one to critical acclaim. He was born and raised in Felling and Newcastle in post-industrial North East England and educated at the University of East Anglia. When he was young, he found his love of writing when some short stories of his were published in a local magazine. He started out as an author of adult fiction before finding his niche writing literature for young adults.
His first children's novel, Skellig (1998), set in Newcastle, won the Whitbread Children's Novel of the Year Award and also the Carnegie Medal. His subsequent novels are: Kit's Wilderness (1999), Heaven Eyes (2000), Secret Heart (2001), The Fire Eaters (2003) and Clay (2005). His first play aimed at adolescents, Wild Girl, Wild Boy, toured in 2001 and was published in 2002.
His works are highly philosophical and thus appeal to children and adults alike. Recurring themes throughout include the complex relationships between apparent opposites (such as life and death, reality and fiction, past and future); forms of education; growing up and adapting to change; the nature of 'the self'. He has been greatly influenced by the works of the English Romantic poet William Blake.
He is an author often suggested on National Curriculum reading lists in the United Kingdom and has attracted the attention of academics who specialise in the study of children's literature.
Almond currently lives with his family in Northumberland, England.
Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (2010).
His first children's novel, Skellig (1998), set in Newcastle, won the Whitbread Children's Novel of the Year Award and also the Carnegie Medal. His subsequent novels are: Kit's Wilderness (1999), Heaven Eyes (2000), Secret Heart (2001), The Fire Eaters (2003) and Clay (2005). His first play aimed at adolescents, Wild Girl, Wild Boy, toured in 2001 and was published in 2002.
His works are highly philosophical and thus appeal to children and adults alike. Recurring themes throughout include the complex relationships between apparent opposites (such as life and death, reality and fiction, past and future); forms of education; growing up and adapting to change; the nature of 'the self'. He has been greatly influenced by the works of the English Romantic poet William Blake.
He is an author often suggested on National Curriculum reading lists in the United Kingdom and has attracted the attention of academics who specialise in the study of children's literature.
Almond currently lives with his family in Northumberland, England.
Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (2010).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 5, 2026
The theme of parents giving off their kid to a monastery because they couldn’t afford felt a bit dark after reading books on unicorns and rainbows but it’s good exposure to read some serious books for my six year old.
November 20, 2024
When Kevin was young, his parents couldn't afford to take care of him. So they dropped him off at a monastery where the monks would take care of him. Kevin finds he loves to be outside in nature, interacting with wildlife. After awhile, the monks tell Kevin that he must spend more time inside studying.
One day, while in his cell, Kevin puts his hands outside his small window. A blackbird comes to rest on his hands. Kevin allows the bird to rest. The bird eventually leaves, but returns with his mate and they begin building a nest in Kevin's hands. Kevin holds still the whole while the eggs are maturing. The monks realize what a special event this is and support Kevin with food and sleep while he's holding the nest. Eventually the eggs hatch and the birds fledged the nest.
The monks realized how special Kevin was and how important it was that he be out in the woods, with the wildlife; they let him go.
Based on an Irish legend of Saint Kevin.
One day, while in his cell, Kevin puts his hands outside his small window. A blackbird comes to rest on his hands. Kevin allows the bird to rest. The bird eventually leaves, but returns with his mate and they begin building a nest in Kevin's hands. Kevin holds still the whole while the eggs are maturing. The monks realize what a special event this is and support Kevin with food and sleep while he's holding the nest. Eventually the eggs hatch and the birds fledged the nest.
The monks realized how special Kevin was and how important it was that he be out in the woods, with the wildlife; they let him go.
Based on an Irish legend of Saint Kevin.
October 11, 2024
“David Almond’s books are strange, unsettling wild things- unfettered by the normal constraints of children’s literature. They are, like all great literature, beyond classification.” The Guardian
In Kevin and the Blackbirds, David Almonds uses his signature mystical storytelling to highlight the life of Kevin, a young boy whose parents send him to live in a monastery. Kevin is used to the wilds of the woods and misses the freedom he had to run free with the animals. When Kevin is eventually relegated to a tiny, tower room in order to grow up and spend more time studying and praying, he discovers that if he extends his hands out the window he can touch a blackbird flying by. The blackbirds learn to trust him enough to build a nest and raise their young in his hands. When the babies are old enough, they fly away and the monks understand that they can’t keep wild things, like Kevin, imprisoned.
Blackbirds is a little clunky in that there isn’t enough time to develop the theme of letting freedom reign. The monks who are basically imprisoning the boy rather abruptly figure out that it’s not the right thing to do and release Kevin from the tower and then go off to dance in a field with wild animals.
Illustrations by P.J. Lynch are gorgeous, detailed, set in earthy tones and used to fill in the gaps in the story. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
In Kevin and the Blackbirds, David Almonds uses his signature mystical storytelling to highlight the life of Kevin, a young boy whose parents send him to live in a monastery. Kevin is used to the wilds of the woods and misses the freedom he had to run free with the animals. When Kevin is eventually relegated to a tiny, tower room in order to grow up and spend more time studying and praying, he discovers that if he extends his hands out the window he can touch a blackbird flying by. The blackbirds learn to trust him enough to build a nest and raise their young in his hands. When the babies are old enough, they fly away and the monks understand that they can’t keep wild things, like Kevin, imprisoned.
Blackbirds is a little clunky in that there isn’t enough time to develop the theme of letting freedom reign. The monks who are basically imprisoning the boy rather abruptly figure out that it’s not the right thing to do and release Kevin from the tower and then go off to dance in a field with wild animals.
Illustrations by P.J. Lynch are gorgeous, detailed, set in earthy tones and used to fill in the gaps in the story. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
January 4, 2025
First, the illustrations are beautiful. They are detailed, soft, and charming. I would be surprised if this isn't considered for a Caldecott. The story was also well-written and verbally illustrated well for children. The only reason I can't give this book 5 stars- and would absolutely deserve it, otherwise- is because the message is missing something. The story talks about how Kevin wanted to be with and care for the animals, but the monks told him to stay inside and pray. And in the end, Kevin is vindicated and allowed to be with the animals again and the monks (seemingly) follow his example. The Bible is clear that God made the animals and loves them and wants us to take care of them. Kevin's actions were absolutely in-line with God's heart. However, the way this story is written almost seems like Kevin is bucking the religious tradition and rebelling against God, and the Monk's ask for his forgiveness in the end. The Monks were wrong, but I just feel it could have been written in a way that showed more respect to God's heart instead of making it seem like God's heart, not just the Monk's, was against Kevin's actions.
February 28, 2025
"Kevin feels the warm eggs, the small breast, the tucked
Neat head and claws and, finding himself linked
Into the network of eternal life,
Is moved to pity: now he must hold his hand
Like a branch out in the sun and rain for weeks
Until the young are hatched and fledged and flown."
As neither a Catholic nor a medievalist, I must confess that I learned the tale of St Kevin from Seamus Heaney's poem. Had I encountered it as a child in this lovely book, I would have never forgotten it.
The story is here clearly and movingly retold for a young audience, thanks to one simple, crucial change: Kevin is here not a devoutly cloistered monk, but a nature-loving young boy sent from poverty to be raised in monastic confinement. Suddenly the painful sacrifice but also the joyful devotion speak even more profoundly.
One could not wish for more gorgeous, earth-toned illustrations. Tow-headed Kevin and the menagerie flourishing all around his monastery are beautifully, lovingly depicted. The before-and-after end papers are a special treat sure to captivate young naturalists.
Neat head and claws and, finding himself linked
Into the network of eternal life,
Is moved to pity: now he must hold his hand
Like a branch out in the sun and rain for weeks
Until the young are hatched and fledged and flown."
As neither a Catholic nor a medievalist, I must confess that I learned the tale of St Kevin from Seamus Heaney's poem. Had I encountered it as a child in this lovely book, I would have never forgotten it.
The story is here clearly and movingly retold for a young audience, thanks to one simple, crucial change: Kevin is here not a devoutly cloistered monk, but a nature-loving young boy sent from poverty to be raised in monastic confinement. Suddenly the painful sacrifice but also the joyful devotion speak even more profoundly.
One could not wish for more gorgeous, earth-toned illustrations. Tow-headed Kevin and the menagerie flourishing all around his monastery are beautifully, lovingly depicted. The before-and-after end papers are a special treat sure to captivate young naturalists.
November 2, 2024
This retelling of an ancient Irish legend is timeless and moving. Though an old tale, it is brought into a more contemporary understanding, touching gently on social and environmental concerns that occupy so much of our headspace today. Through the exquisite writing, we are brought to a certain enchantment with the world, a glimpse of something that is present with us, but the ability to observe these things all to frequently escapes us. It is simple to read, but at the same time powerfully evocative. The naturalistic illustrations conjure the space and open up the imagination, so that in no time at all, we are there. We see the world, every detail of it. We feel the world and all the life within. Children will be wrapped up in the story, considering the possibilities, as they are encouraged to develop peace, patience and vision. Grownups will find rest and solace in its’ pages. It will stay with you…and give the world that which nurtures and brings hope. Actually, I think this may be both the author and illustrators best work yet. It is simply beautiful, from page one through to the end. It’s perfect.
November 2, 2024
n lean times, a boy’s parents send him to a monastery to be cared for. After study and prayer, the monks let young Kevin run and play in the woods and fields. But the time comes when he must set aside childish ways. Shut in his lonely cell, yearning for home and the freedom of the outdoors, Kevin reaches through the window toward the light as two blackbirds land in and feather the nest of his hands. Kevin waits, day after day, for their eggs to hatch, and it’s not until the chicks spread tiny wings and fly off--three new wild things gone out into the world--that he can rest and the monks can see what they must do."
November 21, 2024
Beautifully written story of a young boy who grew up in a monastery. He loved exploring nature and interacting with the animals nearby. As he grew older, the monks told him he needed to spend more time inside in quiet study. Kevin obeyed but missed his friends and active life. One day, a blackbird landed on his hand. From here, readers see the miracle of a nest being built on his hands through the beauty of the hatchlings learning to fly. The monks realize that Kevin is meant to be out in nature and encourage him to be who he was meant to be. So much to discuss after sharing this story.
December 11, 2024
A poignant reimagining of the medieval Irish legend about St. Kevin and the blackbirds that nested in his hands. The text and the illustrations do a great job in portraying the time period and a young Kevin's life in the monastery. Almond makes a point in saying that this book is not about "weird miracles or . . . martyrdom" but rather the story of a vulnerable young person protecting and nurturing the natural world. A truly lovely picture book!
February 25, 2025
David Almond retells an old Irish folk tale, a fable. Kevin is sent to the monastery because his family can't afford to take care of him, but while he is there he wants to be outside all the time, connecting to nature. When he is told to come inside more, he puts both of his hands out of his window and birds make a nest in his hands, eggs hatch, and so on. The monastery eventually recognizes that he needs to be free to live in the wild.
April 4, 2025
What a beautiful book ! The story is a folktale so one can ignore the unbelievable parts. The story is about love, beauty, sacrifice and being who we are. The illustrations are out of this world beautiful. Kudos to author and illustrator
May 27, 2024
A new story for me! The artwork is incredible.
October 14, 2024
👧🏻reviews: David Almond is my favorite author so I am biased when I picked this one first. The book has a European style and the story is amazing. Live this book!
November 13, 2024
Found in L4L Volume 136
November 20, 2024
so many little critters
December 4, 2024
Beautiful!
December 18, 2024
Beautiful illustrations.
December 19, 2024
A heartwarming story with a profound message and beautifully illustrated. A superior offering.
March 4, 2025
Beautiful illustrations. The story is nice, although the end is abrupt.
March 25, 2025
The art in this is beautiful!
March 27, 2025
Art 4 stars
Story 3 stars
Story 3 stars
July 4, 2025
A gentle parable of valuing nature and of freedom to be who you are, based on the life of an Irish saint. Beautiful illustrations by P.J. Lynch.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews