Helen
From Sara Cassidy, acclaimed author of A Boy Named Queen, comes a stunning wordless graphic novel about friendship, loss and hope.
For as long as Saanvi can remember, she has been friends with her elderly neighbor Helen. They play cards and garden together and, especially, care for the wild birds that visit Helen's yard. When Helen dies suddenly, a "For Sale" sign goes up, and movers arrive, emptying the house of its furniture and stripping the yard of its birdfeeders. The sparrows and hummingbirds disappear.
Soon a bulldozer tears down Helen's house. All winter, Saanvi walks numbly past the property as developers begin to build condos. Then one spring day, amid the dust and turmoil of construction, she finds a weathered playing card wedged between two rocks. She holds it to her chest, and finally sobs.
After a tearful night, Saanvi wakes inspired. She slathers peanut butter on pinecones to hang from tree branches, hammers together a birdhouse from scrap wood and drags a kitchen stool outside to hold a bowl of water. Finally, she retrieves a nest that has been unraveling on Helen's old property and places it in a tree in her own yard. Saanvi's yard soon fills with Helen's birds. They have a home again.
This beautifully illustrated, wordless graphic novel shows Saanvi's journey through close friendship, then hollowing loss and change, until she finally finds hope.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.1
Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
Discover your next great read at BookLoop, Australiand online bookstore offering a vast selection of titles across various genres and interests. Whether you're curious about what's trending or searching for graphic novels that captivate, thrilling crime and mystery fiction, or exhilarating action and adventure stories, our curated collections have something for every reader. Delve into imaginative fantasy worlds or explore the realms of science fiction that challenge the boundaries of reality. Fans of contemporary narratives will find compelling stories in our contemporary fiction section. Embark on epic journeys with our fantasy and science fiction titles,
Explore our new releases for the most recent additions in romance books, fantasy books, graphic novels, crime and mystery books, science fiction books as well as biographies, cookbooks, self help books, tarot cards, fortunetelling and much more. With titles covering current trends, booktok and bookstagram recommendations, and emerging authors, BookLoop remains your go-to local australian bookstore for buying books online across all book genres.
Stay updated with the literary world by browsing our trending books, featuring the latest bestsellers and critically acclaimed works. Explore titles from popular brands like Minecraft, Pokemon, Star Wars, Bluey, Lonely Planet, ABIA award winners, Peppa Pig, and our specialised collection of ADHD books. At BookLoop, we are committed to providing a diverse and enriching reading experience for all.
Explore BookLoop’s trusted collection of educational books for kids designed to nurture curiosity and early development. Perfect for early learning centres, childcare educators, and parents, our range covers literacy, numeracy, science, and emotional learning. Discover engaging picture books and creative interactive activity books and kits that make learning fun and meaningful for young readers. Families and educators trust BookLoop for quality resources that inspire imagination and confidence from the earliest years.
Help children explore emotional awareness, body confidence, and resilience with our hand-picked range of kids mental health books and body and health books for children. These titles encourage positive discussions about feelings, wellbeing, and growing up, supporting both classroom learning and family reading time.
Encourage curiosity and adventure with nature and animal books for kids, or spark imagination through our kids fantasy books, action and adventure stories, and superhero stories. For readers who love classic tales and heartfelt stories, explore our fairy tales and traditional stories, short stories for kids, and family and home stories that teach kindness and connection. Add fun and learning with our kids hobbies, quizzes and games books — perfect for curious minds and creative play.
BookLoop makes bulk school book orders simple and affordable for schools, libraries, and learning centres. Our range of school books and educational resources supports all stages of the Australian Curriculum, from primary school books to secondary school books. We also supply early childhood education books for teachers and educators seeking curriculum-aligned materials. With competitive pricing, reliable delivery, and expert service, BookLoop is your trusted Australian bookstore for all kids educational books.
If you have any questions before making a purchase chat with our online operators to get more information.
or find our Questions & Answers