The Song of the Nightingale

K-Gr 3–This is a pourquoi tale about how the nightingale got its name and voice. Using nature as a backdrop for this timeless story, Landman crafts a picturesque forest setting with animals lining up to receive the perfect color from an anonymous painter who has noticed all the brilliance of the other aspects of nature. Carlin’s pictures convey soft, watercolor images and childlike handmade drawings that enhance the story perfectly. The colorful hues bring the narrative to life, and the use of black, gray, and white give a creative balance to the story’s plot. A painter uses each of the colors in her paintbox, one-by-one, for the fauna that has captured her attention. When it is the nightingale’s turn, the only color left is a golden drop for the back of its throat. Combine with other origin stories, or inspire children to paint animals for their own reasons. Some may wish for more information about why the song of the nightingale brings joy to the painter, but the story of natural landscape and wildlife becoming aflame with color will serve story hours well.