Hugo

Hugo the pigeon has an important job; he’s the park keeper. Patrolling the park every day, he takes his job seriously as he keeps Madame Grande company and discusses the news with Monsieur Occupé in springtime; cleans up after messy summer picnickers; and in the autumn, plays with the children to give their mothers a rest.

During the winter he flies off visiting all the apartments that overlook the park, making sure the residents know that spring will soon be with them. But, there’s one window where the curtains are always closed. There Hugo knocks politely certain there is someone hiding within, until one day the curtains part and he spies a little girl. Hugo greets her shy smile with a welcome spring dance and continues his daily visits, welcomed by the child.

One day however, Hugo is late and the concerned little girl comes right out on the balcony looking for her feathered friend. Hugo arrives and his dance performed with rather gay abandon sets off a chain of events that almost cost his life but end up completely changing for the better, the shy little girl’s lonely life.

Atinuke’s is a thoroughly heartwarming story that highlights and celebrates the power of friendship, beautifully illustrated with gentle humour and lots of gorgeously quirky detail by Birgitta Sif.