The Language of Birds

A moving picture book about an anxious girl who can talk to birds but finds it hard to talk to people. When a new boy at school connects with trees the way she does with birds, they begin to form a friendship.

Mira speaks to the birds. As a baby, she napped in the park where starlings gathered. Before she was two, she could mimic the sounds of the doves. Birds have always made sense to Mira, unlike people who are much more confusing. When Mira tries to talk to them, her words remain out of reach. Mostly, people leave her alone.

But when a new boy named Jad comes to school, Mira notices that he understands trees the way she does birds. He's different. And as they draw together, Mira is able, at last, to make a friend.

Here is a beautiful, layered picture book that speaks to the need for connection and the many forms it can take.

Author: Jon-Erik Lappano
Publisher: Random House Studio
Published: 12/16/2025
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 11.41h x 8.41w x 0.51d
ISBN: 9780593806654
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 09/22/2025
Booklist 12/01/2025
Horn Book Magazine 01/01/2026 pg. 61

About the Author
JON-ERIK LAPPANO is a person who stays up too late working on things, including writing books for children. His debut picture book, Tokyo Digs a Garden, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, won the Governor General's Literary Award and was a finalist for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. His second book, Maggie's Treasure, was inspired by Jon-Erik's young daughters and has received wide critical acclaim. Jon-Erik lives in Stratford, Ontario, with his family and a growing assortment of pets.

ZACH MANBECK is an author and illustrator from Pennsylvania. As an artist, his work is described as modern vintage--nostalgic, yet fresh. As a writer, Zach aims to tell stories from a new perspective--stories that advocate for characters that haven't yet had a chance to live in books, and stories sprinkled with lessons that encourage the forming of healthy minds. He is the author-illustrator of You Are Here and the illustrator of Stanley's Secret and Monolo and the Unicorn.