Ava and the Last Bird

English EDITION
Ava and the Last Bird
TUULA PERE • NYAMDORJ LKHAASUREN
W
ickWick

Ava and the Last Bird

2
AXEL & AVA
Ava and the Last Bird
Story by Tuula Pere
Illustrations by Nyamdorj Lkhaasuren
Layout by Peter Stone
Edited by Susan Korman
ISBN 978-952-357-471-7 (Hardcover)
ISBN 978-952-357-472-4 (Softcover)
ISBN 978-952-357-473-1 (ePub)
First edition
Copyright © 2022 Wickwick Ltd
Published 2022 by Wickwick Ltd
Helsinki, Finland
Originally published in Finland by Wickwick Ltd in 2021
Ava and the Last Bird, ISBN 978-952-357-471-7
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of the publisher Wickwick Ltd. The only exception is brief quotations in printed articles and
reviews. For details and written permissions, contact rights@wickwick.fi.
Wickwick books are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums and promotions as
well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact
specialsales@wickwick.fi.

English EDITION
Ava and the Last Bird
TUULA PERE • NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
W
ickWick
Children’s Books from the Heart
1

Outside Ava’s window, there is
a massive linden tree. Its long
branches extend almost to the side of
the house.
In spring, after the tree’s buds burst
with leaves, a bird’s nest appears in
one of the branches. Ava loves to watch
the tiny chicks and their parents.
2

3

Later in the summer, the chicks prepare
to fly.
“When will the birds leave?” Ava asks
her father anxiously.
“It will take another couple of weeks,”
Dad says.
4

5

6
Ava observes the nest every
day. There is always
something interesting going
on.

The chicks have a healthy appetite. They
wait in the nest with their beaks open
for food brought by their parents.
“Is there enough to eat for everyone?”
Ava asks her mother
at the breakfast table. “I
could throw the birds some
food out of the window!”
7

“It’s better for the birds to feed their chicks
themselves,” Mom says.
“I’m sure they would love my cheese
toast,” Ava argues.
8

“Birds know the best food for their own
stomachs. Just like I know what kind of
food you need,” Mom says.
9

Ava wants to help the birds somehow but
comes up with nothing. After breakfast,
she leaves for the backyard. She sits at the
foot of the linden tree to read a storybook
about a magician.
Maybe birds like fairy tales! Ava thinks. She
begins to read the story aloud.
10

11

12

A
window next door slides open.
Ava’s friend Axel peeks out.
“Why are you reading a fairy tale in
such a loud voice?” he asks.
“The birds can’t hear me otherwise.
The branches rustle in
the wind,” Ava explains.
13

14

But the birds don’t have time to listen to fairy tales today.
They have more important things to do.
“Look, the first chick jumped down from the nest!” Axel shouts
excitedly. “It already knows how to fly a little!”
Ava puts the book aside as other chicks leave the nest as well.
15

It turns out to be an exciting day. Ava
and Axel jump around the yard, following
the birds as they practice flying.
“They’re starting to be pretty skilled already,”
Axel says.
“Soon they’ll be moving away and
flying south,” Ava says.
16

17

18

The next morning, Ava looks at the empty bird’s nest outside
her window. Suddenly a chick rises from the nest and
struggles over to the edge. Then it falls onto the lawn!
“Poor little one, you’ve been forgotten! I’ll help you!” Ava calls.
19

20
The chick is lying on the ground
under the linden tree. Ava gently
moves it into a better position. Then
she flaps her hands like bird wings to
show it how to fly. But the chick isn’t
interested. It keeps its eyes tightly
closed.

Ava speaks in a soft voice. “Don’t be
afraid, little friend.”
21

22

Ava thinks the chick’s family may be
close by.
“You have to sing out loud! That’s how
your family will find you.” Ava starts singing
to encourage the chick. But it’s difficult
to imitate the sound of a bird.
23

A
xel hurries over to Ava and the little
bird. He is baffled, too.
24

“I don’t think it helps if you sing. Have you
tried feeding the bird?”
“It doesn’t want anything. Its beak is tightly
closed,” Ava says, distressed.
25

26

Axel’s grandmother joins them. Fortunately,
she knows a lot about birds.
“Don’t worry. The mother bird follows her
chick all the time. She’ll come to the rescue
as soon as we leave,” she says comfortingly.
Ava pulls Axel aside. “Now, off we go!”
27

28

Granny is right. As soon as they leave the chick, the
mother bird calls it from the tree. The little one answers.
Soon the bird’s parents are feeding it.
That evening, Ava and Axel see the last chick flying
with the others. The happy warble of the bird family
fills the air.
“I hope I see you next summer!” Ava says.
29

2
AXEL & AVA
Ava closely watches life in a bird’s nest
outside her window. She is eager to help
a chick when it falls onto the lawn. Can she
teach the little one to sing and fly?
wickwick.fi