A child and a blue heron spend a joyful day together. At sunrise, the child (brown-skinned) rushes excitedly to their bird friend, standing in the foamy water with one leg up, “echoing Blue’s stillness.” The two “shriek” and “splash” with abandon before enjoying lunch. “We are wild. We are free … chasing the afternoon sun.” The heron takes to the sky at sundown, but the child waits, watching the starry heavens in hope and anticipation until—yes! Blue returns! Carrying the child on its back, Blue takes off, rising over the water, soaring through the deep-blue night sky. When it grows too cold for comfort, the friends “softly glide” back to the child’s home, where they “say good night but not goodbye … to dream of meeting again.” The child’s love of blue herons is clear in their choice of bedroom décor and toys: a feathered costume hanging on the wall, a heron mobile, and a stuffed heron held to their chest as they sleep. Sparse, simple, lovely text and indigo-saturated illustrations leave the reality of the story up to interpretation. Is it real? Wishful thinking? A dream? Whether real or imagined, the child’s love of the majestic creature is magical.

This sweet story about a child's magical night with a blue heron is the perfect dreamy bedtime story for little ones.

One summer morning, Boy wakes up to discover Blue. Curious, he follows this mysterious bird on a day's worth of adventure, play, and exploring the nooks and crannies of their coastal home. And at night, they soar, with hands and wings reaching for the stars. But as the sunrise peeks out, Boy is forced to say goodbye to Blue. For now.

In this gentle and touching story, New York Times bestselling illustrator Suzanne Kaufman proves that love can transcend all boundaries.