Melisande and Giselle Potter are a mother-and-daughter team who have created numerous books individually, but Cher Ami marks their first collaboration. Melisande is the illustrator of Pizza for the Queen by Nancy Castaldo. In London where Melisande lives, a perky little pigeon often perches on her thumb to eat scone crumbs at teatime. Her attachment to this friendly bird led to a curiosity about pigeons and the discovery of Cher Ami's story. Giselle has illustrated over thirty books, including The Boy Who Loved Words, a Parents' Choice Gold Award winner. Giselle lives in the Hudson Valley with her family and their recently adopted dog, Lottie, who was found in the woods. Giselle isn't sure if they saved Lottie or if Lottie saved them, with her sweet, loving nature. She invites you to visit her at gisellepotter.com.
Engaging watercolor and ink artwork that portrays Cher Ami at her valorous best will rivet the picture book audience, making this a useful Veterans Day centerpiece, when strict veracity might briefly take a backseat to a rousing war story. --BCCB Melisande Potter's text is concise, dramatic, and compelling, entirely matched by Giselle Potter's art--evocative watercolors that convey setting beautifully while always keeping the valiant pigeon center stage. --The Horn Book A fresh tribute to the renowned avian wounded warrior.... A tale worth the telling. --Kirkus Reviews Descriptive and precise.... There are few books for younger readers about this period in history, and by making the main character an animal, and deemphasizing the horrors of war, this book manages to make the subject palatable for this age range. --School Library Connection Praise for Cher Ami: Lovingly crafted.... The author creates a real sense of drama when Cher Ami performs her famous flight--an act made all the more suspenseful by the dynamic illustrations. An uplifting piece of history that children will love. --Booklist