"Even the spider lent a
hand. (Eight of them.)
But still, Mel fell.
She fell and fell.
Oh, no!"
Mel has that feeling! Today's the day she is going to fly. Mama kingfisher is busy elsewhere. There's nothing to stand in Mel's way. She admits she is scared, but she is going to go through with it anyway. Obviously, it's a long drop from the branch she is standing on to the bottom of their tree. She knows she can do it!
"She jumped. She flipped. She spread
her wings. And then ...
she fell."
Oh my, did she ever! She fell past the owl family, the squirrels, the bees, the spider, a snail, some ants, even a ladybug. All are willing to help; Mel fell too fast. At the end of her fall, she splashes into the water, snags a fish ... and then surprise! Readers are asked to turn the book upside down.
Mel flew - right past all of the friends who wanted to help when she was falling. They cheer and encourage until Mel arrives home where her mother waits, beaming with pride that matches Mel's equally joyous feeling.
Mixed media artwork will delight a young audience, and readers will very much enjoy the vertical turn of the book. It allows them to watch Mel go from a quick plummet, to a proud flight right back to where she started.
I can hear the chorus: Please read it AGAIN. And, I will.
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