Synopses & Reviews
High above the rooftops of Rome, Angelo begins his work restoring the façade of a once glorious church. As with every project, he starts his final masterpiece by clearing away the years of debris left behind by the many pigeons who nest in the nooks and crannies of Romes great architecture. There, among the sticks and feathers, he discovers a wounded bird. Finding no safe place to leave her, Angelo becomes the birds reluctant savior.
As the church nears completion, Angelo begins to worry about the future of his aviary friend. What will become of you? Where will you go . . . where will you . . . live?” he asks her. Realizing what he must do, Angelo returns to the church to add one final finishing touch. Through his artistry as a master craftsman he answers the questions about his humble friend and assures that he will not be forgotten.
With his expressive illustrations, filled with detail and humor and infused with the warm, terra-cotta glow of the Mediterranean, David Macaulay will once again capture his readers hearts and imaginations with this poignant story of enduring friendship.
Review
"From the dizzying heights of stories-high scaffolding to the worn stones of the local piazza, from Sylvia's sideshow shenanigans to the intimate glimpse into hard-working Angelo's lonely life, this up-close-and-personal, touching tale may be just as important as Cathedral, if not as grand."
Review
'\"Seasoned artist Macaulay knows how to get the most humor out of his illustrations, both in the finer details and the broader strokes.\"'
Review
'\"The offbeat friendship is charming, there are entertaining details to discover throughout the book, and the grand old city is evoked in all her bustle and luminosity.\"'
Review
"Angelo centers on the beauty and value of work, the transcendent nature of friendship and the consolations of art. It is an eloquent and in its fullhearted way a storybook for readers of all ages...Angelo is rendered from a bird's-eye perspective, a captivating, vertiginous view of the cityscape, reminiscent of the style Macaulay used in Rome Antics. These intricate drawings are suffused with soft autumnal colors that perfectly complement the beautiful story." The New York Times Book Review
"Macaulay's watercolor illustrations provide a cornucopia of surprises, architectural details, and humorous touches...a charming story of an improbable friendship." School Library Journal, Starred
"Seasoned artist Macaulay knows how to get the most humor out of his illustrations, both in the finer details and the broader strokes." Publishers Weekly, Starred
"The offbeat friendship is charming, there are entertaining details to discover throughout the book, and the grand old city is evoked in all her bustle and luminosity." Horn Book
"From the dizzying heights of stories-high scaffolding to the worn stones of the local piazza, from Sylvia's sideshow shenanigans to the intimate glimpse into hard-working Angelo's lonely life, this up-close-and-personal, touching tale may be just as important as Cathedral, if not as grand." Kirkus Reviews with Pointers
Synopsis
High above the rooftops of Rome, Angelo begins his work restoring the faand#231;ade of a once glorious church. There, among the sticks and feathers, he discovers a wounded bird. Angelo becomes the birdand#8217;s reluctant savior. As the church nears completion, Angelo begins to worry about the future of his avian friend. and#147;What will become of you? Where will you go . . . where will you . . . live?and#8221; he asks her. Through his artistry as a master craftsman he answers the questions for his humble friend and assures that he, himself will not be forgotten.
About the Author
David Macaulay is an award-winning author and illustrator whose books have sold millions of copies in the United States alone, and his work has been translated into a dozen languages. Macaulay has garnered numerous awards including the Caldecott Medal and Honor Awards, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, the Christopher Award, an American Institute of Architects Medal, and the Washington Post–Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award. In 2006, he was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, given “to encourage people of outstanding talent to pursue their own creative, intellectual, and professional inclinations.” Superb design, magnificent illustrations, and clearly presented information distinguish all of his books.
David Macaulay lives with his family in Vermont.