Hilda and the bird parade

*Starred Review* Pearson's British-import series starring a plucky, blue-haired heroine continues from the equally charming Hildafolk (2010) and Hilda and the Midnight Giant (2012). Hilda and her mom have moved from the countryside, where the little girl loved to explore all day long, to a small European city filled with winding streets, ancient statuary, and strange creatures inspired by Scandinavian legend. Despite her mother's worries, Hilda loses track of her dubious companions and befriends a wounded bird, who proves a much grander figure than he initially appears. Hilda has a huge heart, a huge sense of curiosity, and an admirable sense of courage. Her encounters with a Salt Lion and an obscurely glimpsed Rat King lack overly frightening menace and are done with artful panache, making this a fantastic choice both for kids and for adults looking for a bit less punching and a bit more quiet wonder in their comic books. Environment being so crucial to the tale, Pearson's expressive architecture and city design are nothing short of remarkable, giving a personality to neighborhoods and even individuals doorways. His large-headed, stick-legged cartooning employs both humor and empathy and gracefully reflects the book's tone, a perfect pitch between childlike adventure, subtle mystery, and gentle lyricism.--Karp, Jesse Copyright 2010 Booklist

Following the events of Hilda and the Midnight Giant, a PW Best Book of 2012, tiny blue-haired Hilda and her mother are settling into the fictional town of Trolberg. It's a far cry from their idyllic mountain home: Hilda's mother is nervous about letting her daughter roam free, and the local kids' idea of a good time is to pull pranks on neighbors and throw rocks at birds. When a large, black bird is left injured and amnesiac after being hit by one such rock, Hilda tries to help it remember how to fly as well as find her own way home. Although Trolberg initially seems grim (down by the docks, the bird scares Hilda with a story about a rat king, to which she responds, "You can't remember who you are but you can remember that?"), Pearson shows how Hilda's optimism, curiosity, and self-assuredness help her make the most of this unfamiliar new setting. The reds, golds, and blues in the palette (Hilda's signature colors) hint at the way her outlook transforms the town from intimidating and rundown to a place where magical, wonderful things can happen. Ages 6-up. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.