Little Wing Learns to Fly

 

     "There are only two lasting bequests that we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings."---Johann Wolfgang von Gothe. 

    Roots will always provide our children with a sense of home; they will give them a strong, steady foundation that will help them stay grounded amidst the troubled world that we sadly are seeing around us of late. The wings that we give them, while they may take them elsewhere in life, they will always carry with them the lessons that the roots provided them with to soar and achieve their goals and dreams.  

    As we watch our little ones develop those wings and learn how to fly, it's only natural that we experience feelings of anxiousness, nervousness and trepidation, as we try, at the same time, to balance showing them how far their wings can take them.  Such is the case for a momma dragon as written in this beautiful, coming-of-age story by author Calista Brill in Little Wing Learns to Fly. 

     As our tale begins, Little Wing has been trying very hard to fly.  But, even though that every attempt so far has led him to "Flip...Flap...Flop" he is determined to never give up. However, Little Wing knows that today is the day.  While his mother gently tries to persuade her little dragon to rest, Little Wing tries once more.  "A dragon never gives up," he says, and suddenly, instead of ending with a "Flop"  this time, Little Wing flutters and starts to go airborne!  As his mother tries to tell him the three rules, the wind catches Little Wing high up in the clouds, and deep into the dark forest.  What happens to Little Wing? Will his newly found wings take him back  home?

     Brill's story is so heartfelt and engaging. With its strong message of hard work, perseverance, and the understanding that while no matter how small or how big we become, we all will always need help sometimes along our journey.  Jennifer A. Bell's stunning illustrations, especially those for when Little Wing's flight takes him into the dark forest, away from his mother, will capture you in. 

Little Wing Learns to Fly

Written by Calista Brill and Illustrated by Jennifer A. Bell

Published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2016)

For Ages 4 thru 8

ISBN: 978-0-06-236033-5