kite. Zora grabbed a picnic
umbrella. She dashed up a
hill, and -
"Drop it! Drop it!"
Zora, a good dog, dropped
the umbrella.
Above her flew a giant
airplane. Surely if someone
as big as an airplane could
fly ... "
Kids who love stories about dogs are going to empathize with Zora. Her most fervent wish is to catch a squirrel, a seemingly impossible enterprise. It is ALL that she wants from life. All attempts prove to be wretched failures on her part. To add insult to injury, Tully the neighborhood cat berates Zora for even considering something so silly.
Her enthusiasm unchecked, Zora persists. However, she soon must admit defeat. She can do many things; it appears flying is not one of them.
"Zora sighed.
She could jump up.
She could shake a paw.
She could roll over and take a bow.
Why couldn't she fly?"
When the cards seem stacked against her and all hope lost, the perfect opportunity for action allows her to prove her mettle.
The story itself has all the elements of a fine adventure, with a satisfying ending. Brandon James Scott adds illustrations to make it sing. Humorous and filled with memorable moments, little ones will want to return again and again to note the expressions, the movement, the peril of Tully's situation, and the brave rescue. I love the changes in perspective, and how they affect the reading.
Ms. Stinson reminds all who read this spirited book that we can do the things we set our minds to do, even when others are not so sure ... in our own time and way.
No comments:
Post a Comment