Enzo, the Swallows and Me

Dedicated to all birdwatching readers everywhere, this delightful book follows the friendship between Jack and his new neighbour, Enzo, recently arrived from Africa. Enzo’s Dad is an engineer, whose enthusiasm for birdwatching is contagious, and soon both boys are busy scanning their surroundings, binoculars around their necks. Enzo’s Dad has told them that each year swallows fly the thousands of miles from Africa to nest and rear their chicks. So the two boys are thrilled to spot the arrival of the first swallows, skimming across the skies. In a nesting bowl high up in a tumbledown shed, Enzo’s Dad has set up a webcam, and the boys are entranced to watch eggs laid and chicks developing. Time passes, and they realise that soon it will be time for the swallows’ flight back to Africa. As Enzo’s Dad’s job comes to an end, his family will also be heading home to Africa. Will the boys’ friendship endure the miles? Yes, it does. Through technology they chat as if they are still together, and their passion for birdwatching continues. The book resounds with the strong connection between the natural world and that of humans, and shows how deep children’s friendships can run, despite distance separating them. The final pages show two letters written by the boys, sharing facts they have learnt about swallows. The illustrations enhance the story line throughout, particularly the emotions, from the joy of first spotting swallows to the grief of impending separation. ‘Dad says it’s OK to cry,’ sniffs Enzo, on a dark page with a setting sun and the houses in deep shadows. The pictures of the many, many swallows throughout the book will make readers long for the sight of them in the skies again. A charming book.