There's a ragged and strange man on the corner selling caged wild birds. Jarvis feels sorry for them and buys one, intending to set it free. But it sings so sweetly that Jarvis forgets his good intentions. Then one night, when the little robin no longer sings, the birdman returns.

 

There are 32 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2000 by Andersen Press Ltd .

Ruth Brown has created a great many picture books for Andersen Press and is highly respected as an author and illustrator. She is married to artist Ken Brown and they have two grown-up sons and 1 grandson. Melvin Burgess was born in London and brought up in Surrey and Sussex. He has had a variety of jobs before becoming a full-time writer. Before his first novel, he had short stories published and a play broadcast on Radio 4. Three of his novels have been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.