When Swallow and Blackbird meet in the backyard, they are excited to have a new friend. Being young birds, they are both learning to fly, but are still very different.

Swallow can’t understand why Blackbird is brown, and Blackbird asks what Swallow swallows?

They visit each nest and tell each other amazing things about their lives.

Both exclaim, “I don’t believe you!”

 

Blackbird can’t understand how Swallow would fly all the way to Africa, and Swallow doesn’t believe Blackbird’s nest will soon be surrounded by delicious orange berries.

What results is a message sent across the world and a grand friendship.

Follow the Swallow was originally published in 2001 – but it’s just as good today!

Children aged 4+ will enjoy listening to this new avian friendship, and the resulting animal adventure with a message that goes awry. The illustrations are bright and the text just right to entertain.

These two birds could be any two children meeting for the first time, showing each other their homes and bedrooms (nests), and sharing amazing things they’ve learnt in their young lives.

Follow the Swallow has a message that becomes topsy-turvy the further it goes across the oceans, with hilarious results.

Author – Julia Donaldson

Illustrator – Thomas Docherty

Picture Book

Publisher – Harper Collins

Set – A backyard and then across the world

Viewpoint – 1st person

Real Life – No

Fantasy – Animal Characters

(2001, 2025, Harper Collins, Birds, Avian, Friendship, Funny, Humour, Change, Chinese Whispers, Animals, A Message, Adventure, Migration, Seasons, Fruit Cycle, Life Cycle)