Free

PreS-Gr 2–It’s an exciting day for the Great Bird Circus. The troupe is off to perform for the governor. After packing up their supplies and birds, the circus ringleader and his associate, a young girl named Paloma, travel through the mountains before encountering an agent at the border. In a comical spread, the agent informs the troupe that paperwork is needed for the birds to cross. Quick and innovative thinking by Paloma rectifies the situation painlessly and in an uncomplicated manner. As the group continues toward their destination, Paloma shares another superb idea: allowing the birds to fly free, outside of their cages. Minimal text, paired with Barroux’s signature ink and acrylic illustrations, create enjoyable humor while emphasizing the story’s themes of teamwork and creative problem-solving. Pair with Sam Usher’s Free, Corey Tabor’s Mel Fell, and Liz Garton Scanlon’s One Dark Bird for bird and problem-solving units, lessons, or story times.