A young boy deals with the sadness of losing a pet in this gentle, sweet ode to how nothing can take away what lives in our heart. Theo loves feeding the birds. All the birds. But he tries his hardest to aim his seeds to the old bird with the raggedy wing—Pearl. Soon, they are sharing apples and peanut butter, enjoying a good breeze, and sitting heartbeat to heartbeat. But sometimes friends have to say goodbye… K-Gr 2-Theo feeds the birds regularly, giving special attention to the one with a raggedy wing. Naming her Pearl after his grandmother, he protects the bird, both to allow it to eat and to keep it safe from other animals. Theo realizes he considers the bird his own, and Grandma Pearl helps him create a new home for the creature-a place to play, a place to sleep, a place to share their "apples with peanut butter." Theo wakes one morning and little Pearl does not. As Theo's memories of Pearl turn "from tears to smiles," he is able to say goodbye. Digital collage scenes in charcoal pencil and watercolor reveal Theo and his grandma, who are Black, when they are at home, in the park, or in the car while he learns to understand the needs of a new family member. VERDICT With a note on how to approach injured animals and animal care referencing information from the Audubon Society and the Humane Society, this recommended general purchase recognizes the social emotional learning present in young readers' growing awareness of animal needs in the wild and also the necessary time for all children to take in recovery for the loss of pets or loved ones.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano I.S.D., TXα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. With a note on how to approach injured animals and animal care referencing information from the Audubon Society and the Humane Society, this recommended general purchase recognizes the social emotional learning present in young readers’ growing awareness of animal needs in the wild and also the necessary time for all children to take in recovery for the loss of pets or loved ones. -- School Library Journal ― August 2021 Wendy Wahman lives in Washington State with big poodles, old cats, and a husband named Joe. She’s won many awards for illustration, but her greatest joy is loving the two-, three-, and four-legged animals she has known. She is author and illustrator of the picture books Don’t Lick the Dog , A Cat Like That , and Old Pearl .