A Drop of Gold

A preschool storytime picture book that tells the tale of how monkeys helped Mother Nature give birds their color, and the one bird who almost came too late.

Children's Literature

When the world has been filled with color, Mother Nature realizes that only the birds have none. Her monkey helpers paint and decorate until only brown paint is left. So when a little bird turns up late, she ends up brown, and sad, until Duck remembers a special tiny pot. From it a golden drop falls into the bird's throat. The bird with the resulting golden voice is called the nightingale. The simple, succinctly told tale offers the artist a chance to create pages crammed with the creating process; legs are stretched, feathers are trimmed and added, beaks and feet tried on, and all manner of decorating patterns are applied in light-hearted fun. 2001, Annick Press, $18.95 and $7.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz<%ISBN%>1550376772

Vlasta van Kampen graduated from the Ontario College of Art and studied typography and design in Amsterdam. She has illustrated over thirty books, including Muddle Cuddle (1997), Monkey Tales (1998), Bear Tales (1999) and What's the Difference? (2000). Vlasta's professional work also includes poster design and illustration, cassette and CD covers, and advertising and promotional work. She lives in Toronto with her husband.