Free

The first in a new quartet of enchanting picture books where a boy and his beloved grandad discover the wonder of the natural world

When a boy and his grandad take care of a little bird, the boy wants to keep it, but Grandad knows it must return to its natural habitat in the wild, where it can spread its wings and be free. And so begins an exhilarating journey into the mountains to return the bird to where it belongs.

Sam Usher graduated from the University of West England and his debut picture book Can You See Sassoon? was shortlisted for the Waterstones Prize and the Red House Children's Book Award. He is particularly admired for his technical drawing skill and prowess with watercolor. Also a talented pianist, when he's not holding a pen and wobbling at paper you'll find him perfecting a fiendishly difficult piece of Chopin.He is also creator of the bestselling seasonal series about a boy and his grandfather.

A child and grandfather help a fine feathered friend…Opening itself up to myriad conversations and interpretations, Free is fabulous.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)



A boy finds a sick bird on his windowsill and asks his grandfather for help. . . Children familiar with Usher’s Seasons with Grandad series, including Snow (2015), Rain (2017), and Storm (2018), will cheer the return of this adventuresome duo in a new quartet of nature-themed picture books, beginning with this volume. The main characters’ relationship grounds the story so firmly that even the magical flight seems believable. Expressive ink drawings, tinted with watercolors, illuminate the story. An imaginative picture book with broad appeal.
—Booklist