Moving further down on the path through beautiful bent and twisted trees, they follow their normal route to the place where the blackbird sings.
They look everywhere for the bird, but he can’t be found.
They come across it lying under the dark, curving tree trunks on the yellow ground.
So much life pulses around them, but the bird is still.
They move closer.
They assume it must be sleeping. They stand still and quiet, just looking. Waiting for it to awaken.
They have never had the opportunity to view the blackbird up close before. They notice the unique colour of his feathers.Time passes. They try to wake him as leaves drift slowly from the trees to the ground to lie as still as the bird.
They decide to ask Gunther the mouse if he has any ideas on how to wake the blackbird.
All the things he suggests are beyond their power to execute.
Pock realises the bird is dead.
What is dead? How can they tell?
The three friends can’t understand. They throw suggestions out to each other. But the only conclusion they come to is they can’t leave him there like that, exposed to the elements and other animals.
There are countless coloured leaves around so they blanket the bird with their softness.
How can the bird and its moving song be remembered?
They will find a way.
With moving reflection, and a tribute to life lived and lost, death is gently portrayed in a pure, uncomplicated way that children can comprehend.
Pages filled with stunning full-colour images of nature at its best, support the cycle of life. Played out against the perfect backdrop of falling leaves, they symbolise everything that is, that becomes what was.
Title: Is It Asleep?
Author/Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Publisher: Gecko Press, $27.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2025
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9798765670521
For ages: 5 - 7
Type: Picture Book
