Tico and the Golden Wings

Author Leo Lionni
Illustrated by Leo Lionni
A classic fable encouraging generosity and individuality, from four-time Caldecott Honor-winner Leo Lionni.

Tico, a little bird born without wings, is one day granted his dearest wish. But the wings he gets are made of gold and his bird friends turn against him. “You think you are better than we are,” they say. What Tico does with his golden feathers—and the important lesson he learns—is a fable that children will take to their hearts.
Leo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children’s books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner—for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 89. View titles by Leo Lionni
  • WINNER
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • WINNER
    Society of Illustrators Citation of Merit
“A lovely, satisfying parable of beauty and generosity . . . richly evocative of Far Eastern Art.” —The New York Times

“The beauty of this book lies . . . in its luxury, its aesthetic, its gorgeous densely colored patterns of trees and ushes, and the birds themselves.” —The Boston Globe

“Children will take the hopes and wishes of the little bird born without wings to their hearts. . . . A lovely book, and one that cannot but leave a lasting impression.” —The Saturday Review

“Truly a beautiful book.” —McCalls

About

A classic fable encouraging generosity and individuality, from four-time Caldecott Honor-winner Leo Lionni.

Tico, a little bird born without wings, is one day granted his dearest wish. But the wings he gets are made of gold and his bird friends turn against him. “You think you are better than we are,” they say. What Tico does with his golden feathers—and the important lesson he learns—is a fable that children will take to their hearts.

Author

Leo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children’s books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner—for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 89. View titles by Leo Lionni

Awards

  • WINNER
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • WINNER
    Society of Illustrators Citation of Merit

Praise

“A lovely, satisfying parable of beauty and generosity . . . richly evocative of Far Eastern Art.” —The New York Times

“The beauty of this book lies . . . in its luxury, its aesthetic, its gorgeous densely colored patterns of trees and ushes, and the birds themselves.” —The Boston Globe

“Children will take the hopes and wishes of the little bird born without wings to their hearts. . . . A lovely book, and one that cannot but leave a lasting impression.” —The Saturday Review

“Truly a beautiful book.” —McCalls

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