George Flies South
by Simon James illustrated by Simon James
Bibliographic citation:
Publisher: Candlewick
40 pages
ISBN 978-0-7636-5724-6
Age recommendation: 3-5 years
Format: Picture Book / Hardcover
Awards/Selection lists:
Annotation: George does not feel ready to learn to fly, leave his nest, and go south with the other birds, despite his mother's encouragement, but when a strong autumn wind gets hold of the nest, he may have no choice.
Review: What happens when it’s time to fly south and your little one is happy staying home in his nest? Will he overcome his fear and learn how to fly before it’s too late?
George is content with the worms his mother brings to him and not at all interested in flying south for the winter. When she asks him if he’s ready to fly, he answers, “Not quite, I might fall. I think I like my nest best.” While Mom is off fetching worms, a winter gust of wind blows George and his nest from the safety of his branch and an harrowing adventure begins through the high and low places of the city. Landing with his nest first atop a moving car, he looks up at his mother and asks “Am I going south, Mom?” From a stack of planks on a ship high up onto a construction site, George is moving, but not in typical avian fashion. Safe but not quite ready to try, George and his mother rest overnight and wake to a hungry cat ready to pounce. When push comes to shove, George and his nest meet the air separately and there’s only one thing he can do. With encouragement from his patient mother, George gives it his all and the result is a flying success.
With light, airy illustrations of wispy, black line and a cool palette of watercolor wash, this encouraging tale of growing up and overcoming fear will please the eye and the heart of young readers. Each page is laid out with sequential panels until the the end of the book that captures George in actual flight. It’s a winning message for both parents and children about patience, encouragement, taking new steps (in this case, flight) toward independence.
Themes/Issues: Birds/ Growing up
Early Literacy Skill Value:
Print Motivation: Young readers will relate to this adventurous tale of the fear of trying something new for the first time.
Vocabulary: Encourages vocabulary learning through introduction of new words.
Print Awareness: Text is clearly ordered and legible; set on contrasting background.
Narrative Skills: Encourages narrative skills through expressive illustrations.
Phonological Awareness: N/A
Letter Knowledge: N/A
Author/illustrator website: http://www.simonjamesbooks.com
by Simon James illustrated by Simon James
Bibliographic citation:
Publisher: Candlewick
40 pages
ISBN 978-0-7636-5724-6
Age recommendation: 3-5 years
Format: Picture Book / Hardcover
Awards/Selection lists:
Annotation: George does not feel ready to learn to fly, leave his nest, and go south with the other birds, despite his mother's encouragement, but when a strong autumn wind gets hold of the nest, he may have no choice.
Review: What happens when it’s time to fly south and your little one is happy staying home in his nest? Will he overcome his fear and learn how to fly before it’s too late?
George is content with the worms his mother brings to him and not at all interested in flying south for the winter. When she asks him if he’s ready to fly, he answers, “Not quite, I might fall. I think I like my nest best.” While Mom is off fetching worms, a winter gust of wind blows George and his nest from the safety of his branch and an harrowing adventure begins through the high and low places of the city. Landing with his nest first atop a moving car, he looks up at his mother and asks “Am I going south, Mom?” From a stack of planks on a ship high up onto a construction site, George is moving, but not in typical avian fashion. Safe but not quite ready to try, George and his mother rest overnight and wake to a hungry cat ready to pounce. When push comes to shove, George and his nest meet the air separately and there’s only one thing he can do. With encouragement from his patient mother, George gives it his all and the result is a flying success.
With light, airy illustrations of wispy, black line and a cool palette of watercolor wash, this encouraging tale of growing up and overcoming fear will please the eye and the heart of young readers. Each page is laid out with sequential panels until the the end of the book that captures George in actual flight. It’s a winning message for both parents and children about patience, encouragement, taking new steps (in this case, flight) toward independence.
Themes/Issues: Birds/ Growing up
Early Literacy Skill Value:
Print Motivation: Young readers will relate to this adventurous tale of the fear of trying something new for the first time.
Vocabulary: Encourages vocabulary learning through introduction of new words.
Print Awareness: Text is clearly ordered and legible; set on contrasting background.
Narrative Skills: Encourages narrative skills through expressive illustrations.
Phonological Awareness: N/A
Letter Knowledge: N/A
Author/illustrator website: http://www.simonjamesbooks.com