Pax and Blue

In her first outing as author, illustrator Richmond (A Hop Is Up) highlights the quiet friendship between a small boy and a city pigeon. Knowing that “it wasn’t so easy being little,” Pax shares a morsel of toast with the bird he calls Blue each day—until one morning, when the boy’s mother hurries him onto the subway. Blue follows, passengers panic, but the kerfuffle subsides when the pigeon flies off at the next stop, chasing the snack Pax tosses for him onto the platform. Richmond’s spare storytelling gives kids’ imaginations space to roam if they’re wondering how Pax and Blue became friends in the first place, or how Blue finds his way back home. Combining traditional and digital media, her artwork features lavender backdrops of cityscapes and subway crowds, allowing the focus to stay on Pax (dressed in bright clothing) and Blue (with blue-tipped wings) in each bustling scene. It’s a tender, if somewhat thin story of a child-animal connection, though Pax’s calm, sympathetic support during Blue’s time of need speaks volumes about being a good friend. Ages 4–8. Agent: Lori Kilkelly, Rodeen Literary Management. (Feb.)