Customer Reviews

The Little Tern: A Story of Insight

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THE LITTLE TERN is a philosophical fable that has been designed as a picture book. It tells the tale of a little bird who suddenly cannot fly. All birds are supposed to fly, and a tern is designed to fly and soar through the skies, darting for food in the sea.

Since the Little Tern can't fly he's forced to live on the beach, walking awkwardly in the waves and watching the fog roll in, pondering who he is and his purpose in life. Is a bird still a bird if he has to remain earthbound?

Season follows season and gradually the Little Tern makes some friends. He searches for meaning in the little things he observes --- things he never noticed before when he could fly. As he gradually learns to make the very best of things as he finds them, he discovers a secret that enriches his life. Will it help him fly again, or will it just help him live without being able to fly?

THE LITTLE TERN is a charming story with beautiful watercolor illustrations. The words themselves draw their own pictures for you and will make you think about what the purpose of living really is.

--- Reviewed by Tamara Penny

I found the Little Tern both moving and inspirational. A welcomed piece of wisdom to all of us during these difficult times. The writing and illustrations work brilliantly together to create a memorable journey for the reader. A book not to be missed!

I loved this charming story. This Little Tern is a character of great importance to anyone who has gone through difficult times in their lives. The bird has such resiliency; finding ways out of his struggles that he truely is a hero of mine. I highly recommend this beautiful book!

I have been meaning to buy this book for years, knowing that Susan Osborn's spectacular album "Tideline" (CD avail on amazon and as mp3) was written with the themes found in The Little Tern. From the look of the book online, I assumed it to be mostly a picture book, with limited text, but actually it is a small size book with 84 illustrated pages...an elegant "chapter" book. The language is distinctively British. Here's one of the musings of the stranded 'no fly' Tern.

"For these reasons I naturally became a kind of collector on the beach. I collected colours, thoughts and dreams. At night I watched the skies unfold a magical twilight. These stars became companions and, indeed, I made acquaintance with quite a few good ones."

Seriously, there are times in life when everything you know yourself to be is stripped from you or lost. Hurricane, financial ruin, health crisis, divorce, job loss, death of a partner. Who/what are you then? You not only lose the "thing," you seemed to have lost yourself as well. This book (and Susan Osborn's excellent songs in "Tideline") can help bring you through it.

Brooke Newman's The Little Tern: A Story Of Insight is a thoughtful modern-day parable of inspiration, suitable for readers of all ages and faiths. When a tern loses the ability to fly, he fears that he has lost all that is important and central to his life... but then he makes new friends who bring him to a fresh and self-renewing perspective. Soft, watercolor-style illustrations by Lisa Mann Dirkes add a pervasive and gentle beauty to this heartfelt tale. Enthusiastically recommended for personal reading or as a fine giftbook for a friend or loved one, The Little Tern is a truly memorable and touching story.

This book is so timely. I thought it was great. I gave it to a couple of friends and I think that everyone should read it.

I saw this book in Japan because it is such a big best-seller there. It is a treasure of a book. A MUST have. It is just such a charming fable that is so timely in today's world. It reminds me of Jonathan Livingston Seagull or The Little Prince. Wonderful little book.

My ex-boyfriend gave me this book for my birthday a few years ago & I absolutely loved it. It's a very thoughtful and sweet story. Good for the soul.