A children’s story for the ages by a beloved artist of American life.Norman Rockwell, the foremost chronicler of small-town American life in paint, wrote just one work of fiction, a children’s story, first published in McCall’s magazine in 1967. It was later republished by Funk & Wagnalls as a book, but this edition is based on Rockwell’s original concept, complete with the color and monotone paintings he created for the story. Willie is a wood thrush—but a very different kind of wood thrush. Driven by his intimation that he possesses a special genius, Willie leaves his avian fellows to take up singing with the exquisitely down-to-earth Miss Polly, flautist extraordinaire. Together they find fame, and they eventually travel to the nation’s capitol so Willie’s beautiful singing can be appreciated all the more.
