A gorgeously illustrated story of a swallow who goes against the flock, and the wonderful friendship that emerges from her decision. For kids 3-7, The Swallow Who Stayed is a beautiful celebration of the seasons and what happens when we have the courage to be different.

Iris asked the other birds, “What happens to the forest when we leave?”

But nobody knew the answer. No swallow had ever stayed long enough to see.

It’s time for the swallows to fly South for the winter. But not for Iris, a curious swallow, who has always wondered what the winter is like and decides to stay. One by one, the leaves fall from the trees and the cold begins to settle. Soon an icy wind blows and big snowflakes tumble from the sky. Maybe staying for the winter was a mistake… Though everything changes when Iris stumbles into the home of a squirrel.

Philip Giordano’s geometric art perfectly captures the changing seasons and the different skyscapes we experience in the morning and at night as seasons change. This heartfelt story shares the incredible surprises that happen when we dare to do something different, and celebrates a friendship that lasts from winter to spring.

Translated by: Arielle Aaronson