This is a fable about growth and upbringing, and also a poem about “home”.
At first, the birdsFeitianHome is a nest made of “fine materials,” woven from branches brought by his parents, a place of shelter, protection, and gentle support. But in the end, Fei Tian’s true home is no longer among the intertwined branches, but in the vast sky. The sky—vast, uncertain, yet destined to belong to him. “You are a bird” is like a call, and its inner echo is: you are destined to fly, destined to make the sky your home.
The illustrator uses rhythmic compositions and fresh, dynamic brushstrokes to eloquently tell this fable through a series of images. The main character, composed of blue, white, and red, is clean, sharp, and instantly recognizable. The flexible use of mixed media, including watercolor and ink, imbues the painting with a sense of transparency and layering, creating a dreamlike experience. The bird’s feathers resemble flames, and the lines of its nest resemble ripples, creating a sense of movement within stillness and emotion within movement.
The story’s rhythmic arrangement is even more ingenious. Half of the screen is primarily horizontal, with a smooth narrative and steady rhythm, reminiscent of a dream that hasn’t yet taken flight, or the hesitation before takeoff. A little bird, Feitian, remains in its nest, hesitant to take that first step. While its fellow birds are happily soaring, it remains nestled. The “nest” here isn’t just a physical nest; it represents a spiritual boundary.
The transformation of the parents lies at the emotional core of the book. They begin to tear down the house—pulling one branch each day, starting from the edge, bit by bit, loosening the sense of security. While this action may seem cruel at first glance, their tone remains tender. The feeling of “reluctant to let go, yet still having to” flows like water in their eyes and gestures. The mother doesn’t try to stop the father; she watches and understands, until she herself removes the last branch. Letting go is sometimes a sign of deeper love.
Finally taking flight, Fei Tian initially resembles “a kite with a broken string,” perhaps the most apt metaphor for that moment. It’s a shaky, unstable gesture, yet one finally freed from its constraints. From falling to soaring, Fei Tian’s takeoff isn’t a momentary spectacle, but rather a journey of inner awakening. The emotional climax of this moment is cleverly captured through a shift in the composition’s rhythm: from horizontal to vertical, and from horizontally flowing visual lines to vertically ascending ones, this dramatic reversal from falling to ascending allows ample room for expression, setting the stage for a celebration of “soaring into the sky.”
The painting with the most white space seems the most worthy of scrutiny: The entire page is dominated by a single bird, soaring from the very center of the bottom, ready to flap its wings upwards, like a solo dancer under a spotlight. The emptiness of the space, in turn, imbues it with emotional fullness. This is not only the bird’s first flight, but also its farewell to its old “home” and its connection to its new one.
The design of the front and back loops is also worth mentioning. The front loop features a pale silhouette of a flying bird, symbolizing potential and dreams yet to be embarked on. The back loop, however, transforms to a dark green background, where the same silhouette becomes a clear, dancing bird, imbued with the energy of life and freedom. This shift echoes Fei Tian’s evolution: no longer simply a “flying bird,” it becomes a truly free-spirited being who calls the sky her home.
A good picture book is often an elegant and harmonious ensemble of text and images. Cao Wenxuan’s text and Tian Dongming’s illustrations offer a brilliant example of this symphony. The depth of meaning and the blank spaces left in the text and images also leave room for rich interpretation. This book is a gift for all children hesitant about growing up, and for every parent who will eventually let go. Its gentle yet firm reminder: “You are a bird” is not only a confirmation of identity, but also an awakening of destiny—a life destined to fly, its true home lies not in a protected nest, but in the sky where it dares to spread its wings and soar.
Because home not only provides a safe haven, but also serves as a starting point for children to have the strength to travel far.
The sky is Fei Tian’s destined home.
Written in Beijing on March 25, 2025
