Having previously taught both Skellig and My Name is Mina, I was thrilled to be approved by NetGalley for a review copy of Paper Boat, Paper Bird.

This story sees the return of Mina, the wonderful and magnetic character from Almond’s previous novels. She has travelled to Japan with her mother and there unfolds the most charming story of togetherness even when in a foreign land.

I loved the writing here: so spare and yet poetic. Almond’s use of motifs, and the reflection here on language and culture are both accessible to a young child and deeply moving.

A thoroughly enjoyable flight of fancy, I am certain that children and Mina fans of all ages will enjoy this story - it has a timeless appeal, and an intelligence that adults will love as much as children.

This story is an absolutely quiet beauty. Quick to read but it offers so much power in the simplicity of the tale. Kindness being passed as origami throughout the story and meeting at the end. David Almond has this incredible ability to find stories in moments and when you read the author notes at the back, you can see that this is where this story has come from.
Mina is in Japan, experiencing this culture and learning so much. Watching a woman create a boat and a bird from squares of paper capture her imagination. She takes this magic with her while exploring the city and when she floats them away, she finds them returned in new ways.
Entirely magic, this book felt contemplative and thoughtful. It made me slow down and relish the ideas and magic in the wonder of the world.

This charming and simple tale has such a profound message of communication and friendship that I read it three times back to back as I was enchanted by it. Mina - the wonderful character from Skellig / I am Mina is now in Japan with her mother when she witness a lady on a bus creating an origami boat which she gives to Mina. As Mina journeys to the temple at Kinkaku-ji , she continues to delight in the origami and creates some of her …she places a boat in a lake which is discovered by Miyako and so the story further unfolds ( no pun intended) as to the meeting of the two young people . This is a tale of serendipity and connection - absolutely delightful .Kristi Beautyman’s illustration further enhance the book with their ethereal quality