An owl swoops down to lay her egg in a coal yard - a dangerous spot for a fragile egg! Rescued by Walter, a bird expert with a big heart and warm shirt pocket, the egg miraculously hatches and is aptly named Coal. Thus begins the tender story of rescue, rehabilitation and most of all, friendship. Watercolour illustrations styled in soft realism capture the connections between Coal and the people whose lives he touches. Complementing the story are additional pages of science information, literacy connections and STEM activities.