Hugo

by Atinuke

A Parisian pigeon passionate about people makes a new friend – with gentle themes of community and inclusivity.

Hugo the pigeon has an important job. He looks after the park and everyone who lives there. Everyone except for the Somebody whose curtains are never open. But one day, Hugo is so busy doing his showing-off dance that he doesn't see the dog approaching ... and Somebody has to fly to the rescue!

A charming story about community and the value of friendship, beautifully brought to life by Birgitta Sif's energetic illustrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Birds, Animals, Childrens, Fiction, Kids

40 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2020

About the author

Atinuke is a Nigerian-born author who started her career doing traditional oral storytelling. Her books include a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Winner, a Notable Book for a Global Society, a Cybils Award Winner, and an Africana Award Winner. She lives in Wales.

Reviews

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful story with charming illustrations that tell the tale of a park pigeon who is tasked (by whom? we don't know) to be the guardian and caretaker of the park. In his day to day tasks he notices a curtain move in an upper window but no one comes out from the window.

Alas, our pigeon is injured and he is rescued by the mysterious person behind the curtain.

A lovely story of compassion and watching-over. I recommend.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Kraken_libri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una storia illustrata meravigliosamente, con una lezione nascosta.
Non si può obbligare nessuno da restare.
Devo confessarvi che spesso mi sarebbe piaciuto poter dare la libertà a Polly, ma chiaramente non l'ho mai fatto perché lei è nato in cattività quindi non riuscirebbe a trovare il cibo da sé.
Soprattutto perché gli inseparabili sono uccelli Africani, un viaggetto piuttosto lungo.
La storia di Hugo mi ha risvegliato il sentimento che si prova quando trovando un povero uccellino caduto dal nido, l accudiamo e aiutiamo ma poi dobbiamo donargli la libertà.
Rimane quella paura e il senso di protezione ma anche il senso di abbandono ma alla fine lasciamo che la libertà prevalga su tutto.
Dopotutto non è amicizia se li costringiamo a stare insieme a noi.
Polly ad esempio decide lei quando deve stare affianco a me, dopotutto è una pappagalla adulta e indipendente! ☺️

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hugo the pigeon is a park warden who cares for a park in Paris and the people who visit it. There is one set of windows that never opens, and Hugo tries and tries to get the Somebody who lives there to come out and play. One day Hugo gets hurt and Somebody emerges from her apartment to save Hugo's life and nurse Hugo back to life.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo is a pigeon who is the park warden and delights in all of the regulars who visit his park. He also flies to the nearby apartments to visit people and even makes a new friend. When he suffers an injury to his wing, his new friend nurses him back to health in her apartment. She is sad to return him to the park, but now she feels brave enough to join him at the park to play and celebrate with everyone.

This British import brought to the North American market by Candlewick brings a lovely Paris setting to a story young children will enjoy. It would make a fine read aloud to a group or class-maybe a companion story to a Pigeon themed story time. The case size and text are oversize making a good visually engaging read aloud to preschool-early elementary age groups. When Hugo sustains his injury there might some gasps of surprise and sensitive children may be frightened but reassure readers that he will get the care he needs. The pencil and digitally colored illustrations by Sif are lovely and add so much to the setting and story.

I would recommend this book for purchase by any elementary school or public library.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hugo is a friendly pigeon who takes care of the park in Paris where he lives and looks out for all his neighbors. Despite his overtures, one window facing the park doesn't open until the girl behind it gradually warms up to Hugo and looks forward to his visits. When she finally reveals herself, Hugo is so delighted that he doesn't keep watch for potential danger. A dog injures him, and the little girl comes to his rescue, taking him back home with her and tending to his wounds. Hugo recovers, and even though he's tired, he wants to return to the park. The girl reluctantly lets him go, to the delight of his other friends. But when it looks as though Hugo is being threatened by another dog, she comes rushing out to save him. And now that she's outside, Hugo figures it's the perfect time for her to make friends in the park. This is a version of that old adage concerning who saves whom. The illustrations, created with pencil and then digitally colored, are easy on the eye, and capture the fondness so many have for Hugo. Use this one as a read aloud when trying to encourage youngsters to reach out to others and encourage some empathy.

[Capn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an unsolicited review. No ARC. No pressure, no gratitude, no bias or rose-tinted glasses. I think I'm going to start to preface all of my reviews this way.

I assumed this had originally been written in French and was a translation, but I can't find the original French, so..?! There's something marvellously atmospheric about the whole story (and of course the unique and captivating illustrations - deft watercolours and yet naive and cartoony faces), and the names are all proper French ones, not just the stereotypical ones chosen by anglophones.

Hugo, the pigeon, imagines himself to be responsible for the well-being of everyone 'in his park' (as self-appointed park warden), and all the inhabitants around the place/square. He is tasked with leading and encouraging, cajoling and amusing the residents.

This is a story of Hugo's efforts to bring a small girl out of her shell and out of doors. It is also a story of kindness, of selfishness, and compassion.

I liked it, the kid liked it. It's a win, and I'll be following both this author and the illustrator for future (and past) books alike. ;)

[Linda (bythebellbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Hugo - a proud pigeon and the unofficial guardian of a Paris park! He checks in on joggers, helps baby birds, and even watches out for silly little dogs in silly little coats. But one day, Hugo gets hurt… and suddenly he needs a bit of care. That’s when a new friendship begins, and hearts (and wings) start to heal.

This book is a quiet kind of wonderful. It gently reminds us that everyone needs help sometimes, and that kindness can come from the most unexpected places (or balconies!).

Why I liked it:
• Soft, dreamy illustrations that feel like a hug
• A pigeon hero! How often do we get one of those?
• It’s sweet but not sugary, emotional but not too heavy
• A lovely read for sparking conversations about empathy, inclusion, and courage

Reader match:
• Kids who love animals and city adventures
• Parents and teachers looking for thoughtful, gentle stories
• Fans of The Invisible by Tom Percival or The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld

Honestly? .. A beautiful little surprise. Hugo may be small, but his story leaves a big impression.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo, the pigeon, is a Park Warden and takes care of a small Parisian Park along with those who live around it. He feeds tidbits to the birds, visits Madame Grande on her balcony, and cleans up after children's play. There is "somebody" that never appears from behind a curtain, a mystery! Atinuke lets Hugo tell his story and it is a poignant one. That "somebody" finally peeks out and what happens after becomes a joyous time, but only after Hugo has to be saved, too! Illustrations are Birgitta Sif illustrates the story with beautiful creativity, some parts alive with color as the background fades into brown tones. It's a lovely and totally satisfying story.
First published by Walker Books, UK. Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy, just published in the US this month!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugo, a pigeon who is also the park warden is popular with all the neighborhood - animals and people alike. Except one window that isn't open - a shy little girl lives there and Hugo goes to a lot of effort to get her to notice him. Gradually she become more and more brave and the day she opens the window, Hugo is so excited he rushes to her without noticing a dog who chases and injures Hugo. The little girl rescues him and nurses him until he is ready to return to his job, and he's not the same - but neither is the little girl.

I loved this story about community, and watching out for each other. Birgitta Sif's illustrations are so Parisienne - the story doesn't say Paris, but the pictures surely do. A nice story about how we need to take care of each other.

Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Claire Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows a pigeon in France named Hugo that loves his job as greeter in the park. He watches over the people in the neighborhood and slowly builds a friendship with a girl in a window, but he is injured one day, and she takes care of him until he can fly back to the park again. She is sad to let him go but does because she wants him to be happy. As she comes out to help Hugo again, the entire neighborhood embraces her, and she is happy to be in the park with all her new friends and Hugo. I would put this in a display about community and friendship. It also discusses friends being let go (but not dissolved) so that they can make more friends, which is hard for some kids.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book of the power of friendship, compassion, and community. Hugo is a pigeon who takes care of the park and those in the park. He is a cultivator of friendship. He tries to befriend a mystery girl by visiting her window every day, as if to say, "come out and play!" But the little girl stays inside. One day he is injured, and the little girl comes to his rescue. A beautiful friendship forms... A heartfelt must read.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo is a park warden pigeon who takes care of everyone who lives around the park, including the someone who won't tell him their name. When Hugo needs someone to return the favor and take care of him, someone is there.

This story is sweet, the illustrations are cute, and the bit of French is fun.

My kiddos in storytime were really sad for Hugo, but were glad when he started hop, hop, hopping again!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugo is a pigeon who takes care of the local park. He nurtures the other creatures and humans who visit. Only one "somebody" does not respond when he flies around and visits each home. Then he sees the young girl and encourages her to join the fun. Sadly, a dog gets him when he leaves her home. She nurses him back to health and struggles to let him go. Finally, he returns and she leaves her home as well. Love the welcoming illustrations that bring the action to life.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different from what we're used to from the author, obviously, but still wonderful. The art takes a while to get used to, but it's a good fit for the charming story.

Now, what is going on behind the scenes? Why is the little girl so reluctant to face the world, to come out and play? Is it because she's an immigrant? Could be! Use this book for a unit on immigration. Or on friendship, shyness, healing, community, etc. You choose!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely fell in love with this charming book that takes place in a park in Paris where a pigeon named Hugo is the park warden and watches over all those who live around the park. When he is injured one day, an unexpected new friend cares for him and discovers a whole new world outside her window. A darling book about love, compassion and friendship!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect to cry while reading a picture book and yet I did. Super cute story and artwork depicting a pigeon who acts as warden of a park and helps those who live nearby. Love everything about it, especially the French terms/names and the moral of the story.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo is a pigeon who takes care of the neighborhood park and all the people and animals who use it. When he is injured by a dog, a girl rescues and cares for him. Once he is healed, the shy girl emerges from her home to play and find joy in the park.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book with many French words. A bird named Hugo knows all the people in his area, and he greets them daily. Then he meets a new girl he calls "Somebody." When a dog hurts Hugo's wing, the girl takes him in and helps him heal. Gorgeous art and nice story.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo may be a pigeon, but he is far, far more. He helps everyone, including Someone who has been too scared to venture out.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming, compassionate friendship story.

[Abby Johnson]

So cute. Pair with Smug Seagull.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Alice Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming French setting - a community oriented pigeon connecting with a shy girl makes for a feel-good story.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo is a delightful little bird who gets injured and nursed back to help by a shy girl. Nice story.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hugo helps a special somebody make friends.

[Opetoritse · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book that reads like a Pixar short, Hugo's simple yet endearing story, couple with the quaint and colorful illustrations, make for a delightful time.

[Kmgreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about a beautiful neighborhood and a shy girl. The illustrations were so beautiful. Great bedtime read aloud.

[Lara Bate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugo is a story of a pigeon who gets injured. A little girl looks after him until he is better.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a friendly pigeon. I'm not great with french name pronunciation but enjoyed the story.

[Craig Schorling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about a pigeon that takes care of and oversees a neighborhood park. The illustrations are quite charming and warm.