Millicent

by Jeannie Baker

Every day at the same time Millicent walks through Hyde Park. She never stops to speak to anyone, but the park pigeons expect her. When they see her they fly towards her and make a sweeping circle above the place where she always stops, They land all around her and on her, in a noisy, fluttering heap.

Millicent speaks to them softly, ‘Hello my treasures, I saved you some bread and cabbage from my last night’s dinner’.

Millicent’s dream is to find enough feathers on the ground to eventually make herself a feather coat, hat, bag and shoes – then she sums up ‘I’ll be so warm and cosy, ‘I’ll be just like a pigeon’.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Hardcover

First published April 10, 1980

About the author

Jeannie Baker is the author-illustrator of a number of children’s picture books, including the critically celebrated Mirror and the award-winning Where the Forest Meets the Sea. Born in England, she now lives in Australia.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first and still favourite Jeannie Baker. I also love that this is a park I know well. Llewellyn likes it (20 months) for the pigeons, and he points out all the people in the park. He also tries to stroke Millicent's knitted cardigan and that it is smooth seems to intrigue him :) I tend to ignore the text when I read this and just talk about what's happening in the pictures.

[Celine Spiteri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeannie Baker has always been my favourite Australian childrens' writer and illustrator, ever since my Year 2 teacher Ms Maclean read her books to me in 1994. With the absence of words in one of her books it goes to show that a story can be told without words. "A picture speaks a thousand words" someone once said.

I love this book 'Millicent' in particular because it is set in Sydney where I grew up as a young child. Pigeons commonly go unnoticed in most cities. However Hyde Park is one of those special landmarks where pigeons congregate to meet their daily human friends that just love them.

Jeannie Baker cleverly shaped the way I think about the pigeon and their ability to provide much-needed companionship for loners and perhaps the elderly who appreciate the simple things in life. I wonder if Brian still lives there? Maybe Brian has children now since the story was told. Perhaps Millicent's children meet with her pigeon friends to feed them their gift of seeds.

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author and Illustrator: Jeannie
Age Recommendation: Pre-School
Topic/ Theme: Imagination
Setting: Hyde Park, Sydney

While Millicent is written in words that can be written and understood by basically all ages the older readers get the more they will get out of it. The more the textures seen and used in the art will be appreciated. Millicent's illustrations are all made out of collages. Material, greenery, maybe some paint (I'm honestly not sure how those pigeons were done). Honestly, this is really a book you need to see to enjoy. It is a very simple story coming from an authors imagination but the simplicity of it makes the talent and creativity in the illustrations shine.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Millicent is a warm and gentle story about an old lady's daily wanderings through Hyde Park to feed the pigeons. Along the way, we hear Millicent's thoughts and feelings towards the pigeons that she so dearly loves. Her dream is to find enough feathers on the ground to make a coat, hat, bag and shoes so she will be warm and cosy, just like a pigeon.

Fantastic visually with the collage and great for teachers to 'read to' students

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very simple at first glance -- Baker's idea of what might be going through the head of the lady she sees daily feeding the pigeons in Hyde Park, Sydney. However, it leaves you with the message of needing to feel wanted.
I love that she has included so many of the people she sees in the park, especially the regulars.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

More stunning collages from Jeannie Baker. Not as beautiful as Where the Forest Meets the Sea, but still remarkably clever details!

[Emkoshka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeannie Baker masterfully brings to life the world of Hyde Park, Sydney (or any public park, for that matter). Her collage people are so realistic that you feel you could step in amongst them to live their reality, Millicent the pigeon lady especially. Gorgeous!