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The Feather
This is a story about hope, kindness, and redemption set in a grey dystopian world. When a great feather drifts from the leaden sky, two children recognize its extraordinariness and take it to the village for its protection. The villagers, however, want to encase it, upon which the feather loses its radiance. The children take it home and care for it through the night. In the morning it is again radiant, and when they set it free it leaves behind the first signs of blue sky and color. The ambiguous ending invites multiple interpretations about the effects of selflessness and kindness.
32 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2020
64 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Wild
154 books111 followersMargaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly respected picture-book creators whose award-winning children's books are loved by children all over the world. Margaret has published over seventy picture books for young children and she has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian children's literature.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 24, 2020
Post-apocalyptic like Wild's amazing Woolvs in the Sitee, but gentler, and poetic or allegorical rather than surreal and disorienting. Two children making an impoverished but loving life in the ruins of a destroyed town receive a moment of beauty and try to share it.
May 12, 2018
A dark story set some time in the future when the natural world has been lost. Irretrievably? Perhaps not. Sad, profound, thought provoking.
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January 9, 2023Even I, as an experienced adult, can only barely appreciate this. I have no idea how I would share with children of any age.
But what it makes me think of is the fact that our world may very well look like this one in the near future, and ppl are still making babies. Do you really want your grandchildren to have to grow up the way that Maria and Nico are doing, with only each other and no nature?
But what it makes me think of is the fact that our world may very well look like this one in the near future, and ppl are still making babies. Do you really want your grandchildren to have to grow up the way that Maria and Nico are doing, with only each other and no nature?
August 25, 2019
A giant white glowing feather floats down into a dystopian world where the sky is always gray. Two children find it and take it to the village, amazed by how light it is to carry. The children know it doesn’t belong inside. The adults in the village though want to contain its beauty, but before they can, the feather changes. It becomes dirty and dull, absorbing the weight of their ideas and thoughts. The villagers disperse, angry at being tricked. The children carry the heavy feather back with them, caring for it through the night until in the morning it is brilliant once more. The children decide to set it free, and as the feather floats skyward, it leaves behind a promise of blue skies.
Wild’s story is deep and wondrous, rather like the feather itself. The gigantic nature of the feather, its ability to remind people of blue skies and fresh breezes, makes it magical. And yet, it can be squandered by needing to own that magic, to contain it. The dulling of the feather is a profound answer to that selfishness. The children’s own willingness to care for the feather cleanses it once more. It’s a lovely analogy about selflessness, sharing joy, and finding hope together.
Blackwood’s illustrations are glorious. She creates a feather that is both light and weighty, radiant and white. It lights the world around it, then absorbs the darkness into itself in a way that is heartbreaking. Her vision of the gray world is haunting and aching for a brightening, a possibility.
A picture book that will spark discussion about hope, change and making a difference in your world as a child. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Wild’s story is deep and wondrous, rather like the feather itself. The gigantic nature of the feather, its ability to remind people of blue skies and fresh breezes, makes it magical. And yet, it can be squandered by needing to own that magic, to contain it. The dulling of the feather is a profound answer to that selfishness. The children’s own willingness to care for the feather cleanses it once more. It’s a lovely analogy about selflessness, sharing joy, and finding hope together.
Blackwood’s illustrations are glorious. She creates a feather that is both light and weighty, radiant and white. It lights the world around it, then absorbs the darkness into itself in a way that is heartbreaking. Her vision of the gray world is haunting and aching for a brightening, a possibility.
A picture book that will spark discussion about hope, change and making a difference in your world as a child. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
October 14, 2019
If you are the type of person who enjoys a dystopian picture book to share with your children, this one's for you.
We're never really told what's happened to this bleak land. Maybe it was an asteroid, nuclear fallout, climate change run amok. Either way, it's a pretty hopeless place to live.
I know there's supposed to be some sort of hope conveyed in the giant white feather, but I found that a bit unsettling as well. Could it be a Roc eager to gobble up those tiny children? It's not a book we'd read again, but the images convey the theme and certainly draw out affectation in the reader, albeit a dreary one for us.
We're never really told what's happened to this bleak land. Maybe it was an asteroid, nuclear fallout, climate change run amok. Either way, it's a pretty hopeless place to live.
I know there's supposed to be some sort of hope conveyed in the giant white feather, but I found that a bit unsettling as well. Could it be a Roc eager to gobble up those tiny children? It's not a book we'd read again, but the images convey the theme and certainly draw out affectation in the reader, albeit a dreary one for us.
July 5, 2018
2 young children find a feather which resembles to them how the sky used to be blue with white clouds which they have only seen in pictures in books.
They take it to the village and the journey shows us that there are no living things; everything is grey; the clouds, trees are burnt looking stumps, houses and cars are derelict looking, some houses are roofless. The children are the only colour. The other people want to store , display or keep the feather indoors or in a bank vault. Their attitude and touch turns the feather brown, the children want the feather to have its freedom so they take it home where it returns to a white colour. They let it fly from the edge of a cliff. Apart from the fact that the bird is alive , there is some indication that change for the better is coming.
I am not sure of the symbolism of the fluttering clean white washing [except to mirror the whiteness of the feather and that it came to them on the wind also.]
The language is fairly sparse but affecting and interesting. I wouldn't use it with junior primary but they can surprise you with their understanding!
They take it to the village and the journey shows us that there are no living things; everything is grey; the clouds, trees are burnt looking stumps, houses and cars are derelict looking, some houses are roofless. The children are the only colour. The other people want to store , display or keep the feather indoors or in a bank vault. Their attitude and touch turns the feather brown, the children want the feather to have its freedom so they take it home where it returns to a white colour. They let it fly from the edge of a cliff. Apart from the fact that the bird is alive , there is some indication that change for the better is coming.
I am not sure of the symbolism of the fluttering clean white washing [except to mirror the whiteness of the feather and that it came to them on the wind also.]
The language is fairly sparse but affecting and interesting. I wouldn't use it with junior primary but they can surprise you with their understanding!
March 10, 2019
2019 // 034 | The Feather - Margaret Wild and Freya Blackwood (@freyablackwood ) | 2013 | 144pp
In a world full of grey and misery, two children discover a large, glowingly white feather. It’s radiance fills them with joy so they bring it to the village to share and protect it. The villagers bickering and differing approaches to the feather quickly have a dulling effect and the children do what they can to rescue the feather. Blackwood’s dreamy illustrations serve as a perfect companion to Wild’s storytelling. This is a lovely book of hope and kindness, open to interpretation, a worthy contender for Picture Book of the Year.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In a world full of grey and misery, two children discover a large, glowingly white feather. It’s radiance fills them with joy so they bring it to the village to share and protect it. The villagers bickering and differing approaches to the feather quickly have a dulling effect and the children do what they can to rescue the feather. Blackwood’s dreamy illustrations serve as a perfect companion to Wild’s storytelling. This is a lovely book of hope and kindness, open to interpretation, a worthy contender for Picture Book of the Year.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 23, 2018
An intricate and thoughtful expression of humanity and its ability and willingness to accept change and difference. As ever, Wild's eloquent word play, decisive characters and poignant story-line align effortlessly with Blackwood's meaningful illustrations. The use of young children to reflect hope and redemption on behalf of their community ensures young readers will have something to connect with and query.
May 26, 2018
Margaret Wild is good at balancing light and darkness in children's stories - think the wily Fox, the shadows of death in Old Pig, or the Let the Celebrations Begin, which was set in a concentration camp. The Feather is no exception. This seems to be set in a post-apocalyptic world where the sun no longer shines. Freya Blackwood's illustrations add dreaminess and hint at the fable-nature of the story. Much food for thought.
August 15, 2018
Wow. The first post-apocalyptic story (at least that's what I've interpreted it to be) that I've read in a picture book format. I'm a bit crazy about all Margaret Wild / Freya Blackwood collaborations, all of them so thought provoking, for both kids and parents alike. My kids are a little young for this one now (being 7, 4, and almost 2), but in a few years' time I think the older ones will appreciate it.
January 6, 2019
I always find picture books illustrated by Freya Blackwood so dreamy, and this was no exception. The Feather is a beautiful story about a magical, pure feather that falls to a dirty, gloomy earth. It's a beautiful treasure to the two children who find it, but how will they preserve it? I think this book could reveal new meanings and details on every reading. This is certainly a book that deserves to be thoughtfully explored and re-read.
July 1, 2019
Two children living in a grey dystopian world find a beautiful white feather that brings light to the world. The take it to the village where it is seen with fear and distaste and rapidly loses its lustre. The children save it and return it to the skies. An allegorical tale that works too hard at sending a message. One for teachers to explore with readers and for reflection.
Shortlisted 2019 CBCA Picture Book of the Year
Shortlisted 2019 CBCA Picture Book of the Year
March 17, 2021
Teaching note: Another fable of Hope and colour amongst a darkness. In a setting of the village, without need for the exact details of where or when. It is just enough to infer in a time before, when the sun shone and the sky was clear. In a village populated by the doctor, the lawyer, and the mayor. Again the visual style and storytelling elevates and supports this fable.
I think it may work well in comparison study with Armin Greder’s The Island?
I think it may work well in comparison study with Armin Greder’s The Island?
May 2, 2020
A little bleak for really young readers. Perhaps an older school audience who might understand a dystopian (Hunger Games) type of landscape, might enjoy puzzling out the meaning of this picture book. The ending is a bit nebulous for little ones- it would be hard to conjure up the idea of hope, kindness, and selflessness surrounding the "feather" for anyone who wasn't a bit older.
May 23, 2020
A dark, somber story about light and hope taken away. Two children find a brilliant white feather in a dismal, gloomy world. They decide to share it with the villagers, who want to lock it up. This causes an undesirable change in the feather, and the children are blamed. An interesting look at hope and the consequences of behavior.
February 17, 2018
This is such a gorgeous book. I nearly cried reading it, it's so beautiful and after reading it has made me stop to think more about the things in my life. Freya Blackwood's illustrations are amazingly beautiful.
April 21, 2022
Beautiful, moving and a lovely message of hope. Would suit my upper primary and secondary students when considering ideas of resilience, hope, community, support and love. A lovely read for adults also.
May 23, 2022
So many amazing things about this simple and yet oh so difficult picture book. Great connection to poetry, awesome opportunity for inferences and vocabulary. But trying to get to the deeper meaning is a powerful discovery. Will definitely use with older kiddos.
October 28, 2022
I love this one for the surrealness of a perfect giant feather, landing in a torn down world with soot for sky. My kiddo is too small for this but I think it brings up a lot of great questions that your toddler can dream up.
November 18, 2019
Two siblings who live in a dark and dreary town find a white feather and marvel at it's cleanness. Can it stay clean and beautiful? Elementary and up
March 11, 2022
A very short and beautiful story of sad hope and the good that a kind heart can do to others.
June 20, 2022
Two children find a large, white feather and bring it to town. People end up making the feather dirty and no longer want it but the two children do and take it home with them.
December 17, 2022
I didn’t really get it. The artwork colors were nice tho, as were the melancholy vibes.
January 16, 2022
In ‘The Feather,’ Margaret Wild introduces two children, Maria and Nico, who find a soft, silky, blue and white feather bigger than themselves. Nico wants to keep it inside their house to brighten their surroundings. Maria says it belongs outside sharing nature. They take the special feather into town to show the adults. However, the grown-ups assume possession and control of the feather. Their intentions reveal inferior self-interests. The delicate feather feels these bad and ugly emotions and becomes discoloured.
The outraged adults demand the children dispose the feather, now a hideous dark and dirty colour. The innocent children carry the feather back to their yard and snuggle against the feather. The next day, the feather transforms into its beautiful blue and white colour. Then Maria and Nico carry the feather to a cliff overlooking the sea. They release the feather and it soars in the sky. At last, the feather experiences freedom floating in a natural environment.
There is a poetic charm about how Maria and Nico, two innocent children, immediately identify the natural beauty of a blue and white silky feather. There is a message, a reminder that in a world of anger and hatred, goodness is possible with the opportunity for redemption and hope. The adults in this story continued to hold onto bad and ugly dispositions. They choose this response.
Maria and Nico will benefit from their innocence and gratitude. Peace will remain with them. Freya Blackwood’s illustrations brilliantly portray the darkness of the negative adults with their dreary expressions and silhouettes. Soft pastel colours of the children and feather represents the brightness of acceptance and harmony. Many pencil marks outline each subject which resembles moving objects just like a feather floating in the sky.
The outraged adults demand the children dispose the feather, now a hideous dark and dirty colour. The innocent children carry the feather back to their yard and snuggle against the feather. The next day, the feather transforms into its beautiful blue and white colour. Then Maria and Nico carry the feather to a cliff overlooking the sea. They release the feather and it soars in the sky. At last, the feather experiences freedom floating in a natural environment.
There is a poetic charm about how Maria and Nico, two innocent children, immediately identify the natural beauty of a blue and white silky feather. There is a message, a reminder that in a world of anger and hatred, goodness is possible with the opportunity for redemption and hope. The adults in this story continued to hold onto bad and ugly dispositions. They choose this response.
Maria and Nico will benefit from their innocence and gratitude. Peace will remain with them. Freya Blackwood’s illustrations brilliantly portray the darkness of the negative adults with their dreary expressions and silhouettes. Soft pastel colours of the children and feather represents the brightness of acceptance and harmony. Many pencil marks outline each subject which resembles moving objects just like a feather floating in the sky.
February 15, 2018
A gorgeously illustrated analogy that works beautifully for young adults / literature circles / class discussions and as a writing stimulus.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews