The illustrator of Eve Bunting's Tweak Tweak and Have You Seen My New Blue Socks? makes his Clarion debut as author/illustrator with a tender book about loneliness and friendship. Leo, a mailman, takes in a small bird, Cheep, who missed the autumn migration of his flock.When spring comes and Cheep moves on, Leo is sad to see him go, but he also has hope, and the letter he has been longing for finally arrives. Sergio Ruzzier's signature, slightly surreal animal characters and the setting, rendered in brilliant colours, make this simple, eloquent story a visual treat for the very young. AGES: 4-8 AUTHOR: Sergio Ruzzier has illustrated a number of picture books, some of which he also wrote. Italian by birth, he lives in New York City. He is a member of the Maurice Sendak fellowship. Colour illustrations