Seven — Sandra Nickel

A pigeon that has trouble homing in the usual way has a unique ability that ends up guiding his lost flock in this sweet tale about following your instincts.A pigeon named Seven is born alone, instead of in the usual pair, and it soon becomes clear that he’s not like the rest of his flock. While pigeons always build their nests from straw and twigs, Seven lines his with rose petals (their scent is dreamy!). While the rest of the pigeons gobble crumbs in the park, Seven can’t help but follow the nutty aroma of rice, even if it means drifting away from the flock. What’s more, although pigeons are expected to home—to find their way home from wherever they may be by following landmarks—Seven gets too distracted by the tangy scent of peaches, the earthy smell of evergreens, and the honey of a butterfly bush to make a mental map the way his father wants him to. But when his flock takes a long trip to the countryside and the fog rolls in on their way home, Seven’s keen sense of smell might just be what leads them all back safely. Sandra Nickel’s charming tale, paired with Aimée Sicuro’s endearing illustrations, celebrates the different ways that folks of all feathers navigate the world.