Kozo the Sparrow by Allen Say is what you expect from a Say picture book. Due in mid-October 2023 I read via an online reader copy. The story is about his childhood, there are the children of post-war, and there his classical upbringing with the more modern touches of the time. There is nothing new, but as always, Say does not disappoint. The story of nursing a young bird to health, the responsibility and the fondness he has for this bird is wonderfully presented. You have Say’s signature style of illustrations and the feelings he always gives is there.
But perhaps it is the afterwards that was most interesting. He gives the back story to the real Kozo, his memories and how his moving away and not spending his adult life in Japan shaped him. This is an experience book that children might not get all the nuances of, but will appreciate the story, and the adult reader will take a deeper meaning with it.
One of my favorite parts of Say’s work is that there is a complex simplicity to both his story and illustrations. This comes out mostly in the artwork where things can be busy, but also, they are supporting the text and do not distract from the theme by giving the basic needs. They have a softness to them, but you do not lose the reality. Such as we can see the cruelty of the bullies that are trying to harm the baby sparrow the child of the story saves, and names Kozo.