Borka The Adventures of a Goose with No Feathers

John Burningham's debut picture book, "Borka," tells the poignant and ultimately uplifting story of a goose born without feathers. Despite her mother knitting her a warm jersey, Borka faces teasing from other young geese and is left behind when her family migrates. This leads her on an unexpected journey aboard a boat to London, where she finds kindness from a human crew and eventually discovers a new home in Kew Gardens. There, she meets other birds who accept her, and a gander who teaches her to swim. This award-winning tale gently explores themes of being different, loneliness, resilience, and finding belonging, making it a wonderful read-aloud for children aged 4-8, and an independent read for 9-11.

Odd appearances don't get in the way of adventure in a jubilant new edition of John Burningham's very first picture book, back by popular demand. Mr. and Mrs. Plumpster are delighted when their six eggs hatch into adorable baby goslings. But one has them worried: Borka, who was born without feathers. The doctor encourages Mrs. Plumpster to knit Borka a fuzzy sweater, but while it helps keep out the cold, it doesn't keep all the other young geese from teasing Borka -- until, come migration day, her siblings fly off without her. What is the tearful goose to do? In a brand-new edition of his debut book for children --awarded a prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in 1963 -- the incomparable John Burningham turns a sad beginning into a whimsical tale of pluck and serendipity, kindness and kindred spirits, as he celebrates the rare birds among us.