A Cage Went in Search of a Bird

by Cary Fagan, Banafsheh Erfanian (Illustrator)

Overview

Two lonely souls find each other in this unusual tale of friendship and belonging from award-winning comic writer Cary Fagan featuring vibrant art by Banafsheh Erfanian.

Is there someone out there for everyone? Two lonely souls find each other in this unusual tale of friendship and belonging from award-winning comic writer Cary Fagan. In her North American debut, illustrator Banafsheh Erfanian brings ornate artistry to the cage and birds that inhabit this surprisingly human story.

A long-empty birdcage takes a chance and leaves behind its attic home to find a bird to keep. Out in the world, the cage encounters many birds and offers shelter to each of them. One by one, they refuse, explaining why they belong elsewhere. The cage feels lonelier than ever – until the cage in search of a bird finds a bird in search of a cage.

Based on an aphorism by Franz Kafka, Fagan’s original story will make readers laugh at its absurdity and ponder its meaning long after they finish reading.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.3
With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554988617
Publisher:	Groundwood Books
Publication date:	05/01/2017
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	AD540L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

CARY FAGAN writes books for children and adults. He has won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Children’s Literature, the Jewish Book Award, the IODE Jean Throop Book Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, among others. His picture books include A Cage Went in Search of a Bird, illustrated by Banafsheh Erfanian, and Son of Happy, illustrated by Milan Pavlović, which was named one of the Best Canadian Picture Books of 2020 by CBC Books. Cary lives with his family in Toronto.

BANAFSHEH ERFANIAN was born in Tehran, Iran. She graduated from Tehran University of Art with a bachelor in graphic design and a master’s in illustration. Banafsheh has illustrated more than twenty books and magazines, and written more than twenty-five articles in art reviews. She has exhibited her work in Iran, Italy, US, Canada, Moscow, Japan and Belgrade. She has won prizes such as the 1st prize of the Second Festival of Text Books Illustration, Iran, and the encouragement prize of the 15th Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustration, Japan. She teaches painting and illustration in Iran and Canada. She lives in Toronto.

Editorial Reviews

A literal interpretation of a famous quote provides the heart of a whimsical story about two lonely souls seeking friendship. … Boldly illustrated in a folk art–style with acrylic and oil pastel, the pages are a riot of saturated colors.

Booklist

About A Cage Went in Search of a Bird

"An original and thought-provoking exploration of the rhythms of friendship." — Kirkus, starred review

"A literal interpretation of a famous quote provides the heart of a whimsical story about two lonely souls seeking friendship. … Boldly illustrated in a folk art–style with acrylic and oil pastel, the pages are a riot of saturated colors." — Booklist

"A lovely storytime or lapsit selection for deep thinkers and connection-makers." —School Library Journal

About Danny Who Fell in a Hole

“[A] funny and sweet tale about learning to embrace change and appreciating what one has.” — Publishers Weekly

About Oy, Feh, So?

“[A] very funny and highly performable plea for the generations to ‘Only connect.’” — Publishers Weekly

About Mr. Zinger’s Hat

“A thoroughly engaging addition to the shelf of stories about storymaking.” — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

06/01/2017
PreS-Gr 2—In this story, with its title taken from an aphorism by Franz Kafka, a discarded birdcage in a dusty attic finds its way outside, hoping to meet its destiny. In the fresh air, the cage tries to tempt a series of birds to call it home, but they are content with their freedom, their warm nests, and the space they need. When the cage meets a canary, it is a match; the canary was set free by its owner and longs for the comforts of a cage in a home. "Dear bird…do not worry anymore…For I have come to save you. And you have come to save me." This reassuring conclusion leaves an unanswered question: How will the bird and the cage get back inside to safety? Readers will be satisfied nonetheless. Fagan's simple prose and his deft characterization of an inanimate object—the cage produces a "mighty heave" to get up a hill, "bang[s] its door open and shut" to get attention, and always asks, "Dear bird, wouldn't you like to come inside?"—are charming and believable. Erfanian's richly colored full-spread acrylic paintings are bold and whimsical. VERDICT A lovely storytime or lapsit selection for deep thinkers and connection makers. Pair with Bernadette Watts's St. Francis and the Proud Crow for a conversation about home.—Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence

School Library Journal

★ 2017-03-06
It is common to associate cages with imprisonment, but what of the cage's point of view?The book's title is an aphorism attributed to Franz Kafka; it clearly stimulated a flight of fancy in Fagan. He banishes his subject to an attic corner where it feels "useless and unwanted." Despite admonishments from the suitcase and guitar, the cage maneuvers itself to the window and jumps. Decorated with heart-shaped scrollwork, this wrought-iron home longs for an inhabitant. It strikes up conversations with all the birds that happen by, from a hummingbird to an owl, trying to persuade them of the merits of caged life. Blues and oranges dominate Erfanian's vibrant illustrations. The flowers that grace the rolling hills and the texture applied to the wooded backgrounds create a cozy tapestry effect further enhanced by the soft edges produced by the acrylic and oil pastels. Each wild creature rejects the cage's logic, and after a lonely night, there is a discernable difference in its approach to the frightened bird that lands nearby. The cage listens to the pet's tale of abandonment without pressure, simply keeping it company. Ultimately, an invitation is extended: "Do not worry anymore. Hop inside where it is warm and safe. For I have come to save you. And you have come to save me." An original and thought-provoking exploration of the rhythms of friendship. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews