Cover of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said

The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said

    The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said is a mythic fiction and classic fantasy novel by Padraic Colum. Key subjects include fairy tales and birds.

    On Project Gutenberg it was downloaded 585 times in the last 30 days.

    It is in the public domain in the United States and free to read on Project Gutenberg.

    About The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said

    "The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said" by Padraic Colum is a children’s fantasy tale written in the early 20th century. The story centers around a young boy who possesses the unique ability to understand the language of birds, leading to adventures filled with magical creatures and enchanting landscapes. With rich illustrations complementing the narrative, the tale unfolds the boy’s interactions with various fowl and his quests inspired by their stories, merging nature's beauty with whimsical folklore. At the start of the story, the boy’s exceptional gift is introduced when he saves a bird from flying into the mouth of a cuckoo, an act that could lead to a catastrophe. The birds, grateful for his intervention, decide to teach him their language. The opening scenes depict a vibrant assembly of various birds discussing the implications of the boy’s ability. This sets the tone for a whimsical exploration of the natural world, filled with talking animals, magical elements, and magical adventures that aim to engage the imagination of young readers while imparting moral lessons. The narrative promises to take readers on a journey through captivating folklore, as the boy learns from the creatures around him.
    Summary from Project Gutenberg (automatically generated)

    Themes, setting & tropes

    Genres

    Subjects

    • Fairy tales
    • Birds

    Quick answers

    Who wrote The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said?

    The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said was written by Padraic Colum.

    What genre is The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said?

    It is usually shelved as Myth & Legend Fiction, Classic Fantasy and Fairy Tales & Folklore.

    Is The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said free to read?

    Yes. It is in the public domain in the United States and can be read free on Project Gutenberg in EPUB, Kindle and HTML formats.

    What books are similar to The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said?

    Readers who like it often enjoy The Wind in the Willows, Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales and The Ugly Duckling.

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