But The Sparrow Stayed (Bilingual With Animal Sounds) by Norman Whaler presents readers with a couple of engrossing poems about two different kinds of birds. The first one, But The Sparrow Stayed, tells the story of the experiences of a sparrow that refuses to leave behind the cold weather of its native home. The sparrow endures the icy harshness of winter, including snowstorms, but can it survive such a natural force? The second poem, First Flight, is the story of a young eagle preparing to leave its nest for the very first time. Pushed by instinct, there still remain a few obstacles for the fledgling eagle to overcome so that its first flight will be successful. However, will this inexperienced eagle be able to reach the sky where it longs to be, or will it fail?

But The Sparrow Stayed (Bilingual With Animal Sounds) by Norman Whaler has some entertaining but thoughtful features for readers of all ages. These two well-written poems, which are presented in both English and Spanish, allow readers of both languages to enjoy this book and learn. The book is beautifully illustrated with color drawings. The book contains sound bites of not only a sparrow’s characteristic calls but an eagle’s as well, some interesting facts about each bird, and an underlying message of hope and persevering to the end in the face of challenges. The book also calls for our support of the conservation of wildlife and natural places, and it is sure to become a favorite addition to any home library.

But The Sparrow Stayed is actually two stories in one book. This newest book by author Norman Whaler features two different birds with the same objective: to prove they have the courage and stamina to accomplish a feat. Sparrow stayed for the whole winter though the winds were howling and the snow was deep. The eagle displayed power and endurance to soar high. Winter is the villain in the first rhyming story and it was determined to conquer and rule, but the sparrow stayed. And though others fled while winter screamed, the small sparrow took it on and fought against winter, the enemy. This book is an interesting comparison of two different creatures that accomplish what they set out to do.

The second story in But The Sparrow Stayed is about the first flight of an eagle. Like many people, the eagle may seem hesitant to spread his wings the first time. This story is about having the strength and determination to try something new. The young eagle will have to fly high above the trees on his first journey. This majestic bird will have to soar over ponds and meadows. Colorful artwork by illustrator Yony Madera adorns full pages in the book. There are fun facts about sparrows and eagles at the back of the book so children can learn more. But The Sparrow Stayed is a bilingual book written in English and Spanish so it’s great for students learning a new language. Author Norman Whaler is obviously a nature lover because he recommends several conservation websites so people can learn more.