The King of the Birds - Hardcover

"Readers with a taste for the quirky will flock to this tale . . . the unexpected antics of birds and child sustain interest whether O'Connor's name is familiar to readers or not." "Kirkus Reviews""

"Readers with a taste for the quirky will flock to this tale . . . the unexpected antics of birds and child sustain interest whether O'Connor's name is familiar to readers or not." Kirkus Reviews
"This quirky-but-true story is nothing short of charming." Booklist
"The story and art are lighthearted and whimsical..." The Horn Book
"Delightful illustrations lend humor and charm to an already wonderful story." Midwest Book Review
"

Selected as a Children's Book All Young Georgians Should Read

"Readers with a taste for the quirky will flock to this tale . . . the unexpected antics of birds and child sustain interest whether O'Connor's name is familiar to readers or not." -- Kirkus Reviews

"This quirky-but-true story is nothing short of charming." -- Booklist

"The story and art are lighthearted and whimsical..." -- The Horn Book

"Nelson's distinctive mixed-media art, fusing illustration with archival photographs, is the perfect visual counterpart to this imaginative interpretation of the facts of O'Connor's life." -- Brain Pickings

"Delightful illustrations lend humor and charm to an already wonderful story." -- Midwest Book Review

In this picture book, inspired by the life of Flannery O’Connor, a young fan of fowl brings home a peacock to be the king of her collection, but he refuses to show off his colorful tail. The girl goes to great lengths to encourage the peacock to display his plumage she throws him a party, lets him play in the fig tree, feeds him flowers and stages a parade all to no avail.

Then she finally stumbles on the perfect solution. When she introduces the queen of the birds a peahen to her collection, the peacock immediately displays his glorious shimmering tail.

This delightful story, full of humor and heart, celebrates the legacy of a great American writer.
Includes an author’s note about Flannery O’Connor.