What is special about this book, though, is not just the lovely and wise message, but the fact that it remains lovely, and not the least bit cloying or preachy, after hundreds of readings. They think he is now just like them, but Tico nurtures an understanding that his thoughts and experiences are not like those of his friends, that inside he is still different.The message is simple: you can care about others and still nurture your own indivuality. His reward for this generosity is to grow a real feather for every golden one he gives away.In the end, Tico returns to his friends, who are thrilled to see him with wings just like theirs. As Tico flies around the world, he encounters people with great needs and tries to help them by giving each of them one of the gold feathers from his wings. Wishing for wings, he gets his wish, but the wings are made of gold. The friends are kind to him, but he feels left out because he cannot do the things they do. It's about a bird born without wings, who cannot fly like his friends. They're simple in the same way that the parables of Jesus are simple - the meaning of the stories is immediately clear, yet they are deep and wise, and the stories stay with you forever.Tico and the Golden Wings is not one of Lionni's best known books (Swimmy and Frederick probably fill that category - and both of them are terrific), but it's one of my favorites. I've been reading books to children for almost two decades, and Leo Lionni's books have always been among my favorites. Never does Lionni become preachy, sticky or Some plates are extremely simple while others are quite complex each though is almost perfection. A study of each picture is almost a story within itself. The setting here is India and the author has used his techniques of realism along with almost perfect graphic design to make the book extremely appealing to the eye. Of course there is the art work.with Lionni there is always the art really, his stories, his simple concise text, cannot be separated from the magnificent visuals he is known for. Strong messages here for the little ones, and I know from experience that the children recognize the moral or morals to this story almost instantly as the tale is being read to them. The book deals with acceptance, giving, sharing and simply doing the right thing when called upon to do so. No spoilers here, but there is a rather beautiful ending to this story which teaches several lessons. I do not want to tell the rest of the story here, but Tico learns that his golden wings are very valuable and by sharing them, one feather at a time, he can help oh so many people in oh so many ways. They frowned at him and informed him that "you think you are better than we are, don't you, with those golden wings.you wanted to be different." They then flew off leaving a very bewildered little bird behind. Upon his return from his wonderful flight Tico joins the other birds and notes they act different. All is well and our little bird is able to fly to sour higher and higher. As he slept one night, a strange bird, one who is pale as a pearl with glorious wings arrives and informs our wingless little friend that "I am the wishingbird." Of course Tico wishes for wings and low and behold he his presented with a beautiful pair of gorgeous golden wings. Still and all, Tico is sad and dearly wants wings so that he can do what birds do. they bring him berries and fruit to eat and watch over him. The other birds love him though and take care of him as all good friends and mates should. He cannot fly.he cannot soar he is different from the other birds. Tico is a bird, much like any other bird but alas, he has no wings. As with many to most of Lionni's stories, this is at first appearance a simple parable and this is one of the seveal secrets to this author's success.what appears simple is not necessarily so, and the message is quite profound yet at the same time perfectly understandable to the young reader. I must say that the Knopf people did justice to this one, as it is a most beautiful hard cover edition. This particular work was first published in 1964, went through several reprints and rereleases and now we have the 1992 Alfred A. Tico and the Golden Wings, one of Lionni's lesser known works, is no exception. Of the many works children's books, created by Leo Lionni it would be extremely difficult to find much, if anything, to find fault with.
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