Selected for The Children’s Book Council’s April 2024 “Hot Off The Press” Reading List
"Real friends help pals fly in more ways than one. Arthur, a small bear, is friends with Eddie, an ostrich. After Arthur asks Eddie why he doesn’t fly, Eddie explains that he wasn’t taught. Solicitous Arthur decides to play teacher. He enjoys giving lectures and illustrates aeronautical principles on a chalkboard. Next, Arthur instructs Eddie to flap his wings, but nothing doing. More lessons ensue. Eddie is lifted in a hot-air balloon, jumps off a diving board, tries stilts, and dangles from a parachute. Arthur decides to ask some birds how they learned to fly. It’s a good idea, except Arthur ends up questioning a series of flightless birds, and a parrot who talks nonstop—but not about flying. Discouraged, the pair walk home; the tired Arthur rides atop Eddie’s back. Eddie’s legs move faster; Arthur marvels at Eddie’s lightning pace. Perhaps Eddie already has a great skill. Originally published in the Czech Republic, this winning story about friendly, supportive encouragement soars, even if Eddie doesn’t. Sweet Eddie never questions where Arthur, who obviously can’t fly, gets his expertise from; readers may want to ponder and discuss this. The charming illustrations are lively and comical. The protagonists are adorable, their size differential making their friendship especially endearing. An uplifting, high-flying tale about friendship and being the wind beneath someone’s wings. (Picture book. 4-7)" —Kirkus Reviews
"Eddie wants to fly, but he is not able to. His friend, Arthur is determined to help Eddie learn. They try everything, but get nowhere. So, they decide to visit other birds, to get some ideas, but come up empty. But as they head home, something wonderful happens! Eddie and Arthur make a great team, and this cute read is one that kids are going to truly enjoy." —Rebecca Hill, Blogger
"It’s an engaging, quickly-read and fun little drama, and is certainly one to consider strongly. Four and a half stars." —John Lloyd, Reviewer
"The story is one of perseverance, desire, and kindness as the two friends work together to try to accomplish a task. Young readers will enjoy the give and take between Arthur and Eddie." —Beth Rodgers, YA Books Central
"An adorable pair of friends heads out to achieve the impossible, and it's hard not to cheer for them the entire way. [...] The text is kept simple and short, giving just enough to keep the story rolling along. It makes a great read aloud for even the younger end of the reading audience. The illustrations are gentle and still let the humor sit very well. It's sure to become one of those reads which ends with the words 'again'." —Tonja Drecker, Blogger
"Eddie may not be able to fly, but maybe he can do other cool things? A fun little book that I enjoyed very much. Highly recommended." —Shonatiger, Blogger
2024-03-23
Real friends help pals fly in more ways than one.
Arthur, a small bear, is friends with Eddie, an ostrich. After Arthur asks Eddie why he doesn’t fly, Eddie explains that he wasn’t taught. Solicitous Arthur decides to play teacher. He enjoys giving lectures and illustrates aeronautical principles on a chalkboard. Next, Arthur instructs Eddie to flap his wings, but nothing doing. More lessons ensue. Eddie is lifted in a hot-air balloon, jumps off a diving board, tries stilts, and dangles from a parachute. Arthur decides to ask some birds how they learned to fly. It’s a good idea, except Arthur ends up questioning a series of flightless birds and a parrot who talks nonstop—but not about flying. Discouraged, the pair walk home; the tired Arthur rides atop Eddie’s back. Eddie’s legs move faster; Arthur marvels at Eddie’s lightning pace. Perhaps Eddie already has a great skill. Originally published in the Czech Republic, this winning story about friendly, supportive encouragement soars, even if Eddie doesn’t. Sweet Eddie never questions where Arthur, who obviously can’t fly, gets his expertise from; readers may want to ponder and discuss this. The charming illustrations are lively and comical. The protagonists are adorable, their size differential making their friendship especially endearing.
An uplifting, high-flying tale about friendship and being the wind beneath someone’s wings. (Picture book. 4-7)
09/27/2019
PreS-Gr 1-Ernest the bear decides to teach Eddie, an ostrich, how to fly when he finds out that his friend travels everywhere on foot. Ernest lectures his buddy on the basic mechanics of flight, but Eddie simply sticks his head in the sand in denial. Further attempts, such as launching Eddie from a hot air balloon, hoisting him off a diving board, and building him long, spindly walking sticks ("flying aids"), result in equally hilarious results. When Ernest's feet begin to ache on the long journey home, Eddie's true prowess is revealed when he runs as fast as other birds fly. Spare text and intricate pastel illustrations are perfectly in sync, page for page. Eddie never once breaks into a sweat despite repeated blunders in the attempt to fly; his mild-mannered expression, while equipped with protective helmet and knee pads, is as comical as it is endearing. Children will note and appreciate that he never loses hope no matter how strenuous the attempt to launch himself off the ground. When Ernest asks other birds how they learned, it becomes apparent that Eddie is not alone; neither a penguin, a parrot, or a kiwi (the least recognizable of the flock) can fly either. The resounding message is that not every bird is equipped with the same traits, just as not every child navigates life with the same basic abilities. VERDICT A surefire hit that emphasizes the unique privilege of being one's own best self.-Etta Anton, Yeshiva of Central Queens, NY
