Writer, director and film composer, Brent McCorkle joins with author Amy Parker to produce Firebird, an inspirational picture book for children ages four and up. The well-written message draws a simple analogy between life’s storms, common doubts and God’s unchanging love. Beautiful colorful illustrations by Disney animators, Rob Corley and Chuck Vollmer enhance the story and invite youngsters to pick up the book.
The story begins with a baby oriole that his mother named Firebird because of his beautiful plumage and colorful array of orange feathers. Youngsters see the little bird’s delight when he basks in the bright sunshine and fluffs his feathers amidst the tree tops, while his friends fly about twittering. However, when the rains arrive Firebird asks his mother, “Why does God let the storm take the sun away?”
“You’ll know, when you take a walk on the clouds,” she replied. Firebird didn’t understand and continued to complain when rain and storms rolled in until…
Thus begins a simple narrative that touches children’s hearts and teaches them that storms in life come and they go. At those times we can either focus on the storm or fly above the clouds to find God’s never changing strength and love. Children will be drawn to this attractive, beautifully illustrated hardback book. The illustrations speak as loud as the words and youngsters who can’t yet read will be encouraged to page through the pictures and tell themselves the story.
The book from B&H Kids’ is unusual because it’s a “flagship release” of a children’s book that’s tied to the simultaneous release of the film Unconditional. While the children’s book, Firebird “…parallels the life of a storybook artist who has lost sight of God’s love…,” the film describes the artist’s struggles to find God in the midst of personal loss while she works to illustrate the children’s book –Firebird.
The unusual, unique and imaginative concept that ties a book to a movie release adds an appreciative, enthusiastic youthful audience to that of a more mature market. Very well done! View Unconditional movie trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCa-aLAkU3c
‘Firebird’ by Brent McCorkle and Amy Parker, B&H Kids, 2012, 32 Pages, Hardcover, Ages 4 and up, 978-1433679179, $14.99
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