Noor Nobi worked hard each day sewing clothes to support his family in Calcutta. After losing his loved ones in a tragic accident, he was grief-stricken. But one day the sight of caged birds at the market made him pause. He knew the creatures must be miserable, and he found renewed purpose in a vow to set them free. It is a vow he continues to keep, going to the market each Monday in order to buy as many birds as he can afford in order to open their cages and let them fly. Veronika Martenova Charles first read about Noor Nobi in a newspaper article. Immediately captivated, she eventually flew to Calcutta and spent time with Noor and his second family in order to research the story she has told in this compelling, detailed narrative. The lush, vibrant artwork of Annouchka Gravel Galouchko and Stéphan Daigle accompanying her story is filled with bird motifs. A brief photoessay at the end of the volume details how the author first heard of Noor and her visit with him in India. (Ages 7–11)

Based on an article that appeared in a Toronto newspaper, The Birdman explores the life of Noor Nobi, a man from Calcutta, India, who, numb after the tragic death of his three children, begins to buy and care for sick, caged birds. As he nurses the birds back to health, he begins to regain his own strength. When the birds have been rehabilitated, he frees them and eventually frees himself from his painful past. This inspiring story, with richly colored illustrations that invite the reader into Noor’s world, is a book for young and old alike. 2006 Canadian Governor General’s Literary Award nominee. ak

Noor Nobi is a broken man, wandering the streets of Calcutta with no reason to live. His three children, snatched from him in a cruel accident, were everything he worked for and loved. But one day, he enters a crowded market and sees a bird, caged and frightened and sick. With very little money in his pocket, he waits until the vendor is closing up.

Quickly, Noor Nobi bargains and, happy to get anything for the sickly thing, the vendor accepts his offer. For some reason Noor Nobi cannot explain, it is important for him to nurse the bird back to health. When it is finally able to fly, Noor Nobi takes his bird to a big Banyan tree and releases it. Only then is he able to weep and fully grieve for his children.

Before Noor Nobi knows it, he is back at work and taking his weekly earnings to the market where he continues to buy, heal, and free as many birds as he can. Crowds gather; some laugh and say he is crazy, some stand reverently, some don’t know what to think. But Noor Nobi’s kindness saves a growing number of birds, and the birds, in turn, give him new purpose.

Author Veronika Martenova Charles read a short newspaper article about the “Birdman” of Calcutta and her imagination took flight. She traveled to India, found Noor Nobi, and witnessed the freeing of the birds for herself.

The Birdman is a touching, true story, tenderly illustrated by Annouchka Gravel Galouchko and Stéphan Daigle. It is accompanied by an afterword, diary entries, and photographs of the author’s experience.