Tico and the Golden Wings

Of the many works; children's books, created by Leo Lionni it would be extremely difficult to find much, if anything, to find fault with. Tico and the Golden Wings, one of Lionni's lesser known works, is no exception. This particular work was first published in 1964, went through several reprints and rereleases and now we have the 1992 Alfred A. Knopf edition. This is the one being reviewed here. I must say that the Knopf people did justice to this one, as it is a most beautiful hard cover edition. As with many to most of Lionni's stories, this is at first appearance a simple parable and this is one of the seveal secrets to this author's success...what appears simple is not necessarily so, and the message is quite profound; yet at the same time perfectly understandable to the young reader. Tico is a bird, much like any other bird but alas, he has no wings. He cannot fly...he cannot soar; he is different from the other birds. The other birds love him though and take care of him as all good friends and mates should. they bring him berries and fruit to eat and watch over him. Still and all, Tico is sad and dearly wants wings so that he can do what birds do. As he slept one night, a strange bird, one who is pale as a pearl with glorious wings arrives and informs our wingless little friend that "I am the wishingbird." Of course Tico wishes for wings and low and behold he his presented with a beautiful pair of gorgeous golden wings. All is well and our little bird is able to fly; to sour higher and higher. Upon his return from his wonderful flight Tico joins the other birds and notes they act different. They frowned at him and informed him that "you think you are better than we are, don't you, with those golden wings...you wanted to be different." They then flew off leaving a very bewildered little bird behind. I do not want to tell the rest of the story here, but Tico learns that his golden wings are very valuable and by sharing them, one feather at a time, he can help oh so many people in oh so many ways. No spoilers here, but there is a rather beautiful ending to this story which teaches several lessons. The book deals with acceptance, giving, sharing and simply doing the right thing when called upon to do so. Strong messages here for the little ones, and I know from experience that the children recognize the moral or morals to this story almost instantly as the tale is being read to them. Of course there is the art work...with Lionni there is always the art; really, his stories, his simple concise text, cannot be separated from the magnificent visuals he is known for. The setting here is India and the author has used his techniques of realism along with almost perfect graphic design to make the book extremely appealing to the eye. A study of each picture is almost a story within itself. Some plates are extremely simple while others are quite complex; each though is almost perfection. Never does Lionni become preachy, sticky or

An excellent book for primary aged children. Exquisite illustrations accompany this story about a small creature coping with a big change.

This story line is familiar if you've read The Rainbow Fish, but Tico pre-dates that story. Tico is also a more profound, developed story. Happy, re-assuring ending. Sensitive and precient in this age of me me me.

I've been reading books to children for almost two decades, and Leo Lionni's books have always been among my favorites. They're simple in the same way that the parables of Jesus are simple - the meaning of the stories is immediately clear, yet they are deep and wise, and the stories stay with you forever.Tico and the Golden Wings is not one of Lionni's best known books (Swimmy and Frederick probably fill that category - and both of them are terrific), but it's one of my favorites. It's about a bird born without wings, who cannot fly like his friends. The friends are kind to him, but he feels left out because he cannot do the things they do. Wishing for wings, he gets his wish, but the wings are made of gold. As Tico flies around the world, he encounters people with great needs and tries to help them by giving each of them one of the gold feathers from his wings. His reward for this generosity is to grow a real feather for every golden one he gives away.In the end, Tico returns to his friends, who are thrilled to see him with wings just like theirs. They think he is now just like them, but Tico nurtures an understanding that his thoughts and experiences are not like those of his friends, that inside he is still different.The message is simple: you can care about others and still nurture your own indivuality. What is special about this book, though, is not just the lovely and wise message, but the fact that it remains lovely, and not the least bit cloying or preachy, after hundreds of readings. You can read this book to any three or four year old who has enough experience with books to sit still for a quiet story, and continue reading it to him or her for years, knowing the child will get more out of it each time he or she hears it.

A lovely story. Thoughtful. Sometimes having what we wish for is not nearly as important as giving. Our value comes from within. A story I look forward to sharing with my nephews and grandchildren.