The Song

by Charlotte Zolotow

Throughout the year, Susan hears a little bird inside her singing of the changing seasons, but no one else can hear it.

Genres: Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1982

About the author

Charlotte Zolotow was a distinguished American writer, editor, and publisher who made a lasting mark on children's literature. Over her career, she authored around 70 picture book texts and edited works by prominent writers including Paul Zindel, Robert Lipsyte, and Francesca Lia Block. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, she studied writing at the University of Wisconsin Madison and later joined Harper & Bros in New York, where she worked her way up from secretary to publisher. Her own books were published by over 20 houses, and she became known for her poetic and emotionally insightful texts. Zolotow’s most celebrated works include When the Wind Stops, William’s Doll, and River Winding. Her story "Enemies" was featured in The Big Book for Peace alongside other notable authors. She lived for many years in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. Her legacy endures not only through her own writing but also through the Charlotte Zolotow Award, established in 1998 to honor outstanding picture book texts. Her contributions helped shape modern children's literature with sensitivity, elegance, and enduring relevance.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not impressed with Tafuri's illustrations. I wanted something with more subtlety, shading, texture, detail, and beauty. These were rather flat - almost like computer art before its time.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book published in the 80's with beautiful illustrations about a little girl who keeps saying she hears a little bird singing, and it sings through the seasons. For example, he 'began to sing in white. He sang of snowflakes and frosty windows and the sting of the wind." It's poetic, about parents needing to listen to their children, and about the goodness of friendship.

[Lynna · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my very favorite stories of finding your soul mate.
"One day Susan woke up with the song of a little bird inside her. "Listen," she said to her mother and her father. But neither of them heard. And they didn't hear the song when it changed from a summer song to a fall song, and then to a winter song. But Susan went on listening. And in the spring, walking home from school, she me a friend. "Listen," she said, and the two of them listened to the spring song together.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely fable, with iconographic illustrations that leave much to the child reader's imagination. I'm not sure how Susan developed such a sense of the beauty of the details of the natural world, with parents as oblivious as hers seem to be, but nonetheless a charming book about seasons, and about kindred spirits.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Published in 1982 and I am reading it in 2025 and this title does NOT stand the test of time most of the reason as in 95 % is the text. Children today would not relate or understand the content. It reminds me of a folk ballad style that would have been sung one hundred and fifty years ok. All that being said Tafuri is a favorite illustrator of mine and this title was published a year prior to me discovering her work and purchasing one of her titles. Her art work here is constrained by the content of the text as she is wonderful with animals. I do like the illustrations of the pumpkins, the double page spread of the rabbits, the pine tree through the window, and oh the beach umbrella with whales. Where oh where could I purchase one of those. . .I love wheels.
All this said, the text needs sung with a female blue grass singer with a high pitched voice strumming a dulcimer!