The Boy and the Falcon

Eight-year-old Daniel may be small for his age, but his curiosity is anything but. A class trip to a wildlife center finally gives him the adventure he has been waiting for, and there he meets Ms. Priya, a ranger in khaki, along with Skye, a peregrine falcon with blue-grey feathers, a cream chest and a dark hood-like marking across her face. Daniel discovers why Skye wears a leather hood, what makes falcons the fastest birds in the world, and what happens when Skye takes to the air and dives like a feathered rocket.

Through his binoculars, Daniel watches the falcon's speed and skill up close and starts to see how each animal has its own way of surviving. Back inside, Ms. Priya spreads out a map of falcon habitats and explains where these birds live and the dangers they face, from pollution to the loss of nesting places. Daniel's curiosity turns into genuine interest, and he leaves eager to read, draw and explore further. This gentle tale by Jane MEADOW can be read on Kids Tale Book.