Days of the Blackbird

Lesson Focus: themes of hope

Tomie dePaola’s Days of the Blackbird is a story of hope in the darkest days of winter. Set in Italy in the middle ages, Days of the Blackbird tells the story of a noble Duke named Gennaio and his little daughter Gemma. Together, father and daughter, delight in the sweet songs of the birds around their home every spring and summer. But one summer, Ducca Gennaio falls ill, and Gemma is certain that only the song of the birds outside his window will cheer him enough to help him live through the winter. Gemma begins caring for the birds to convince them to stay all winter rather than migrating south. But as one bird after another flies away, Gemma must have hope even on the coldest and bleakest of winter days. 

In this lesson we will begin by reviewing the story elements with photocopies of some of the illustrations from the book. You will want to make copies or quick sketches of the main characters, and key narrative moments and have these ready before you begin the lesson. After some basic discussion questions, your students will fill out a Reader’s Journal page, which will set them up well for an optional written response activity. Finally, I have included my great-grandmother’s recipe for Italian donuts, or Sfingi. Served warm and topped with powdered sugar, they are the perfect Italian, winter treat!