“Akemi, a fledgling flamecrest, has been chosen by her elders to sing on the morning of the Lunar New Year. Her mother and her father’s songs are about home, love, and hope. She worries, what shall she sing? Her mother sends Akemi off on her quest. The young bird visits Jade Mountain, the tallest peak in Taiwan. There, she finds strength. Next, she flies to the Taroko Gorge and discovers courage. Finally, she flies to Sun Moon Lake, where she meets her Nai Nai, her grandmother. She listens to Nai Nai’s song and displays her own determination to complete her task. Akemi and Nai Nai return to the family tree in the Alishan forest just in time for Akemi to sing her very own sing of being as mighty as a mountain, as fearless as a waterfall, and as determined as her parents and grandmother. Her song if full of home, love, and hope.

This allegorical story wanders much like the ribbons of musical notes that float among the trees, and like Akemi herself, from place to place; yet, there is a sense of cohesion. This is primarily achieved through the graceful watercolour illustrations, which softly and majestically depict the natural scenes with double-page vistas and delicate spot illustrations. Particularly alluring is the double-page spread of Akemi and her mother, who stand out in their yellow, white, and olive plumage (males have a bright orange crown) against a profusion of pink plum blossoms.

The included backmatter briefly describes all the flora and fauna that appear in the story. A map of Taiwan indicates the locations of the places Akemi visits. As she listens to other songs and observes the wonders of nature, Akemi unlocks her own voice, her own song in this gentle and evocative story.”

Theo Heras, Canadian Children's Book News

"The wonderful watercolour paintings that appear throughout capture, the young bird’s adventures of the glorious natural forest environment of Taiwan that she travels through. This beautiful picture book sings a story of courage, self-confidence, hope and home."

Dr. Larry Swartz, Dr. Larry Recommends