Review: Fly! by Mark Teague

fly!

by Mark Teague

Beach Lane Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

Mama bird thinks it’s time for Baby bird’s first flight, but Baby bird has other ideas in this humorous wordless picture book from New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Mark Teague.

It’s a big day up in the tree that Mama bird shares with her baby. Mama bird thinks Baby bird is finally ready to leave the nest and learn to fly so he can migrate south with the rest of their flock. But Baby bird isn’t so sure. Can’t his mother keep bringing him worms in their nest? Can’t he migrate in a hot air balloon instead? Or perhaps a car?

This silly wordless picture book will keep young readers giggling as Baby bird figures out that he must flap his wings and learn to fly—whether he likes it or not!

 MY TIDBITS

Sometimes words are not even necessary, and that's exactly what makes this book fly from page to page.

The title says it all: fly! A baby bird has been nurtured by its mother and has finally reached the point, where it should learn to spread its own wings. But the nest is very high in the tree and the ground is a long way down. And how does one fly, anyway?

I can't imagine young readers not liking this book. There are no words...a plus for those who love to flip through books on their own...and yet, none are necessary. The illustrations say it all. The little bird is such a cutie, especially since it starts out small before growing to the size, where it needs to learn how to fly. The first scenes of the mother's care warm the heart. But the baby bird isn't always a joy to be around.

These pages are packed with scenes and moments which are sure to draw a few giggles and many smiles. First, the little bird has a bit of an attitude. Add its very active imagination and a mother, who only lets the bird push her so far...and it's quite a fun adventure. It's a book, which is sure to become a favorite.

And here he is...

Mark Teague is the award-winning children's book author and illustrator of the bestselling Dear Mrs. LaRue series, as well as Fly!, The Sky is Falling, The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf, The Tree House That Jack Built by Bonnie Verburg, and many other humorous picture books. He also created the art for the How Do Dinosaurs...series. His illustrated novel, The Doom Machine, received excellent reviews. Mark lives in the Hudson River Valley with his wife and two daughters.