Famous children’s book author and illustrator Tomie dePaola wrote to author Alexis York Lumbard about this book, on which she had collaborated with the illustrator Demi, saying, “Congratulations on a lovely book. You [both] have made a wonderful contribution to the world of children’s literature…” Many readers are agreeing that this book is truly unique. It translates an ancient story about questing for virtue into beautiful language that young readers of today can understand and adds glowing illustrations that illuminate the imagination as well as the pages.

Through its simple poetry and colorful paintings, the story follows the duck, the parrot, the owl, the finch, and others, as they fly behind the wise hoopoe bird, constantly learning to confront their fears and inner weaknesses in order to reach a distant mountain where they will find a new king to help them live happily. Children and adults alike will relate to this inspiring tale about dealing with faults and focusing on such virtues as humility, patience, self-improvement, and courage.

Lavishly illustrated by award-winning illustrator, Demi, and based on an 800-year-old classical tale by the poet Attar, The Conference of the Birds will delight children and provide parents with a wonderful tool for discussing moral and spiritual development with young readers.

“Late one moonless night in a far corner of the world there gathered a large flock of birds. They gathered in sorrow, since they had been, for so very long, deprived of a king....” Thus begins the magical adventure of these wayfaring birds. With encouragement from their wise guide, the hoopoe bird, they overcome fears, physical hardships, and their own inner weakness in order to reach the heights of the mountain to meet their King. This ancient Persian story has been studied for centuries by scholars and mystics, but this retelling, along with the paintings, now make this wisdom tale accessible to all, thanks to the work of Alexis York Lumbard and Demi.

This is Alexis York Lumbard’s first published children’s book, with two others now scheduled for publication. Having noticed a lamentable absence of high quality books of spiritual substance for young readers, she began writing her own stories since becoming a mother in 2005. With a B.A. in Religious Studies from George Washington University, it is her sincere hope to bring the wisdom and beauty of the world’s religions to the eager and gifted minds of young children. Alexis, her husband, and three children live in Newton, Massachusetts.

Demi is the award-winning author of over 130 bestselling children’s books. Her titles have sold over half a million copies. The Empty Pot was selected by former First Lady Barbara Bush in 1990 as one of the books to be read on the ABC Radio Network Program Mrs. Bush’s Story Time, sponsored by the Children’s Literacy Initiative. Demi’s book Gandhi was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book and received an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. In addition, she represented the United States at the First International Children’s Book Conference in Beijing, China, in 1992. She lives with her husband in Yarrow Point, Washington.