Paper Boat, Paper Bird

From the pen of David Almond comes yet another tale woven with wonder, grace, and beauty – and the mark of truly fine writing. Mina finds herself in Kyoto, surrounded by skyscrapers and temples, flower markets and sushi bars, in a Japan where everything astonishes, everything begs to be discovered – even the smallest things and quiet gestures of everyday life. Seated on a bus, she watches in fascination as a woman folds a sheet of paper into a tiny origami boat – a simple act, yet instantly magical. For that boat will bring friendship with Mikio, it will bind the two young souls with the invisible threads of poetry, bringing together two distant worlds… The winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award – the children’s literature equivalent of the Nobel Prize – in 2010, and the prestigious Nonino Prize in 2022, David Almond has been shortlisted for the 2025 Premio Strega Ragazzi with this book. Kirsti Beautyman’s illustrations capture the glances, silences, and delicate rhythms of a world that moves at a different pace, reflecting Mina’s sense of wonder as she uncovers the hidden beauty of everyday life. A gentle invitation for readers of all ages to rediscover the charm of small things.

Reading age: from 7 years

Mina e il sogno di carta
David Almond, illustrazioni di Kirsti Beautyman
Salani, 2025