Teaching Eddie to Fly

Selected for CBC's Summer Showcase 2024: Imagination Celebration

Selected for The Children’s Book Council’s April 2024 “Hot Off The Press” Reading List

"Real friends help pals fly in more ways than one. Arthur, a small bear, is friends with Eddie, an ostrich. After Arthur asks Eddie why he doesn’t fly, Eddie explains that he wasn’t taught. Solicitous Arthur decides to play teacher. He enjoys giving lectures and illustrates aeronautical principles on a chalkboard. Next, Arthur instructs Eddie to flap his wings, but nothing doing. More lessons ensue. Eddie is lifted in a hot-air balloon, jumps off a diving board, tries stilts, and dangles from a parachute. Arthur decides to ask some birds how they learned to fly. It’s a good idea, except Arthur ends up questioning a series of flightless birds, and a parrot who talks nonstop—but not about flying. Discouraged, the pair walk home; the tired Arthur rides atop Eddie’s back. Eddie’s legs move faster; Arthur marvels at Eddie’s lightning pace. Perhaps Eddie already has a great skill. Originally published in the Czech Republic, this winning story about friendly, supportive encouragement soars, even if Eddie doesn’t. Sweet Eddie never questions where Arthur, who obviously can’t fly, gets his expertise from; readers may want to ponder and discuss this. The charming illustrations are lively and comical. The protagonists are adorable, their size differential making their friendship especially endearing. An uplifting, high-flying tale about friendship and being the wind beneath someone’s wings. (Picture book. 4-7)" —Kirkus Reviews

"The tale will prove not only entertaining, but also attractive to read-aloud adults who will appreciate the value of its underlying messages about friendship, education, and effort. Teaching Eddie to Fly is a top recommendation for elementary-level libraries." —Midwest Book Review-Children's Bookwatch

"The story is one of perseverance, desire, and kindness as the two friends work together to try to accomplish a task. Young readers will enjoy the give and take between Arthur and Eddie." —Beth Rodgers, YA Books Central

"With relatively simple and repetitive language printed one or two sentences to a page, this book is suitable for reading aloud as well as for emerging readers who are ready to practice reading on their own. The drawings of Arthur and Eddie’s attempts at flying are laugh-out-loud funny." —Rachael Reiley, Association of California Libraries

"Dry, droll humor combined with hilarious illustrations (an ostrich in a crash helmet is just the start) make this book an adorable, irresistible read. The fact that it also contains a number of wonderful messages—about being yourself, figuring out what you’re good at, friends helping friends—and even a sly dig at know-it-alls, also makes it surprisingly deep." —Global Literature in Libraries