PRUDENCE

An avian adventurer faces her (many) fears.

Nervous Prudence has a dream. An aspiring astronaut most at home among the stars, she seeks to explore the cosmos. Prudence also has a problem; she’s land-bound, her right wing broken by a great fall in chickhood. Rendered flightless and anxious by the accident, the jumpy bird sheds cerulean feathers at the slightest scare. Still, her sister Promise serves as a source of comfort in trying moments and good company in cozier ones. But when Prudence learns that the comet Paulina is slated for near-Earth passage in just one day’s time, the temptation of witnessing this wondrous astronomical event inspires a spot of independence. The energized stargazer sets out solo for a viewpoint at the peak of Great Mountain, absent any aid from her supportive sister, and though the journey may be dangerous, she’s determined to reach the summit on foot, alone. Inspired by a true-life story of sisterhood cut short by cancer, this tale is a bittersweet portrait of familial and self-love. While the narrative parallels between Prudence’s feather loss and chemo-related alopecia aren’t always entirely clear, the sisterly bond that authors Alarie and Collard forge between the birds is a lovely tribute; our protagonist’s courage is especially striking in the context of its creation. Petit’s artwork, meanwhile—all shimmer and pastel, a balm for the otherwise-heavy source material—is twee as can be, each page its own confection.

A reminder that, for the brave and well supported, the unknown isn’t always unfriendly.