Summer Read-to-Learn – Seven: A Most Remarkable Pigeon

All summer, I’ll be sharing books for kids of all ages on topics that will interest them or offer them something new to learn about. Most of the time, these will be nonfiction books, but sometimes we can learn from fictional stories too. I believe reading over the summer is so important, and keeping kids interested in reading by finding books that are relevant and full of topics that they are interested in is very important. Kids should be reading at least 20 minutes every day, and I hope that these books offer you ideas to keep your kids reading and learning all summer.

Look for these posts every Friday. They will always have Summer Read-to-Learn in the title and the tags. There will be books from some of my favorite publishers as well as books on all kinds of topics kids love to read and learn about. Be sure to stop by each week to see what book I’m sharing as part of my Summer Read-to-Learn series.

To see all the books in the Summer Read-to-Learn series, click HERE.

SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon
By: Sandra Nickel
Illustrated by: Aimée Sicuro
Published: May 6, 2025
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Fiction

Pigeons mate for life, and when they are born, there are usually two eggs. But when Seven came along, there was only one egg. His parents were sad, but focused all their love on Seven and training him to be the best pigeon.

Seven is named after a record-setting journey when one pigeon flew over seven thousand miles from France to Vietnam to find its way home. Seven’s dad isn’t so sure Seven would be able to find his way home. Instead of gathering straw for the nest, Seven liked to gather flower petals. Instead of eating bread crumbs on the ground, Seven liked to eat tasty grains of rice. Seven was often made fun of by others in the flock. So, instead, Seven decided to do what his dad wanted him to do, but it made him very sad. He missed the scent of the flowers, rice, and trees.

Kids will identify with Seven in how he feels left out because he likes different things from what the other pigeons do. The illustrations show a sad Seven when the rest of the flock teases him, but a happy pigeon when he smells the beautiful peach trees. When something happens and Seven must step up to help the flock, everyone will be grateful that Seven did things a little differently.

A page at the end of the book includes facts about pigeons, including a paragraph about Seven’s special flight home. Really beautiful illustrations alongside a sweet story of a special bird combine to make this a great summer read. You could also look up homing pigeons on the internet with your child and learn more about their special skills.

Check out curriculum resources to go along with SEVEN, HERE.

Sandra Nickel is an award-winning author of picture books and has two new books coming out in Spring 2025: Seven, A Most Remarkable Pigeon, an uplifting tale that celebrates differences, and Making Light Bloom, Clara Driscolland the Tiffany Lamps, where Sandra continues her mission to celebrate extraordinary individuals who have been nearly forgotten by history.

Sandra holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults and has presented workshops throughout Europe and the United States. She is honored to be the winner of a Christopher Award, the winner of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Crystal Kite Award, a finalist for the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Younger Readers, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection honoree, and a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended author. To learn more about Sandra and to download free curriculum materials and activity sheets, visit sandranickel.com.

Aimée Sicuro is the illustrator of many books for kids. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Parents magazine, and many other publications. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children. To learn more, visit aimeesicuro.com.

Click HERE to purchase a copy of SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon

Encourage birds to nest nearby with this viewable birdhouse.

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Other posts you might like:

Children’s Book Review: Breaking Through the Clouds by Sandra Nickel

Children’s Book Review: Hard Hat Hank and the Sky-High Solution by Charlotte Gunufson

Children’s Book Review: Pigeon & Cat by Edward Hemingway

Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.