It will spark questions and deep thinking in young and old — the kind of picture book I truly adore!
In this Margaret Wild and Stephen Michael King gem, Ella and her brother Leif find a baby eagle. They care for the eagle as he grows older and stronger.
And when the eagle chooses to stay with the family forever, he in turn takes care of Ella and Leif, especially when their father must travel away for a while.
But sometimes the call of the wild (and our own true nature) is too strong. Sometimes we get distracted, even if we really did mean to pay attention. When the eagle makes a mistake, Ella gets mad and curses him to fly each day and night for a whole year.
So he does, pushing through pain and sacrifice to fulfil the curse for Ella.
With an ending you won’t expect (which will spark the deepest of deep thinking), this brilliant picture book is one to challenge readers and start fantastic conversations about family, love, distraction, anger, forgiveness and so much more. It’s a book each reader will pull something different from.
Read it with your kids. Read it with your classrooms. Read it with yourself.
Highly recommended for all!
Title: The Enchantment of the Golden Eagle
Author: Margaret Wild
Illustrator: Stephen Michael King
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 July 2025
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9781761181078
For ages: 5 +
Type: Picture Books
