The Circles in the Sky by Karl James Mountford
Published by Candlewick Studio on September 20, 2022
ISBN: 1536224987
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Folklore
Format: Picture Book Fiction
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Fox awakens in the woods and wonders about the sad bird song he hears. Out of curiosity, he follows the song and startles the flock of birds. After they leave, Fox spots a lone bird on the ground, but he can’t understand why Bird isn’t acting like a normal bird. Moth has been watching Fox and tries to explain that Bird isn’t *here* anymore. When Fox doesn’t understand, Moth explains with a wonderful analogy using the sun and moon. Even though the Sun cannot see the Moon, it never forgets the Moon is there and the Moon will always remember the Sun.

Fox begins to understand that Bird is dead and becomes sad until he realizes what he can do for Bird; remember him. Fox and Moth place Bird in the wildflowers, then head home together to a dawn that finds the birds singing a new tune.

This beautifully illustrated picture book uses a palette of muted reds and greens to augment a gentle story about the process of understanding and dealing with death. Highly recommended, especially for young children who are coping with a loss.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus Library