Prêt à décoller !

by Cori Doerrfeld

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Rabbit Listened , a story of learning to stay true to yourself, rather than what others want you to be.

Riley made a paper airplane and couldn’t wait to let it soar. But just before the plane could take off—SQUAWK. An eagle swoops in and insists Riley’s plane could never fly. It’s much too small. So Riley makes it bigger! But just as this bigger paper airplane is ready to go, a parrot squawks that the plane is way too boring to fly. So Riley makes it fancier! Bird after bird offers advice, and Riley tries making the airplane faster longer, taller, and slimmer.

When the plane crashes to the ground after all these changes, Riley finally meets a more supportive friend . . . and rediscovers the joy and wonder of soaring.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Birds, Storytime, Friendship, Fiction

40 pages

First published March 12, 2024

About the author

Cori Doerrfeld lives in Minneapolis, MN with her husband and two children. She received her undergrad degree in Studio Art from St. Olaf College and her Post Baccalaureate from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She has several published titles including many self authored/self illustrated books.

Reviews

[Fatemeh.A · Rating 5 out of 5]

گوگولی =)
دوست دارم اینجا ثبت بشه به یادگار از بهار ۱۴۰۴ و اولین کتابی که خریدیم ^^

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about sticking to it, even when everyone says you will fail. Trying new things. Bringing those into your circle who should be there, while learning to say no to those who truly shouldn't.
The little boy makes a paper airplane, everyone telling him what's wrong with it. He almost gives up, but decides to try anyway, makes a new friend, and they watch it soar together.

(The penguin and little boy are adorably illustrated, by the by!)

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Ready to Soar is an adorable little picture book. The story is super sweet and gives us the much-needed message that we shouldn't listen to our critics who want us to be like them, and it's completely okay to do things your own way. It also teaches us that being a good friend means supporting your friend's ambitions with excitement rather than tearing them down. It's super sweet, fun, and charming. Definitely recommended!

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly adorable story about a little one who makes a paper airplane and is proudly about to launch it when bird after bird descends to give her advice. Well paced, nice repetition and a thoroughly relatable problem that ends in the perfect, heartwarming way.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fabulous book by Cori Doerrfeld about celebrating one's successes....and not feeling like we need to always tell someone how to be better, stronger, faster. Because we are special the way we are! Oh this is a definite must one for libraries and classrooms.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irresistibly adorable art and a sweet story with a reminder for us to be true to ourselves and to carefully weigh “helpful” input.

[Ossy Firstan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loetjoeeeee

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does Doerrfeld write these adorable stories that also just punch you right in the emotions?

This one is about the importance of being a supportive friend and trusting yourself.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about the power of listening to yourself instead of heeding the advice of others, and of the beauty in encouragement.

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't we all use a little penguin in our lives? Sweet book from a talented author!

[Bedashruti Mitra Basu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you checked out Cori Doerrfeld’s latest book “𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗼𝗮𝗿”?

Riley, our protagonist, is all set to try something new; Riley wants to make a paper plane and watch it take off. But the eagle who rules the sky and who is in charge, stops Riley and opines that the plane ought to be bigger. Riley fixes that and tries to fly the plane again. This time, the colourful parrot interjects and comments that the plane ought to be fancier. Riley makes amends again. Bird after bird offers advice making Riley feel that the efforts put in were not enough, that the plane always lacked something… until Riley meets a supportive friend, the penguin.

I could relate so well with this book – the birds that we meet in life are far too many, who make us feel always ‘not quite there yet’, as if we are not enough! But I am also immensely grateful to the penguins in my life who lift me up, and who are truly happy when the ‘plane’ takes off!

A very relatable and meaningful book to add to your collection.

[Книжни Криле · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Готови да полетим“ от Кори Доерфелд („Зайчето, което ме изслуша“) е вдъхновяваща детска книга от изд. „Хермес“, която разказва историята на малкия Райли и неговото желание да направи хартиено самолетче, което да полети. Райли е изпълнен с ентусиазъм и нетърпение, но среща множество препятствия по пътя си. Птиците, които среща, му дават различни съвети и предложения за подобрения, което го кара да се съмнява в себе си и в своите способности. Дали опасенията му са основателни? Или всъщност всичко, от което се нужда детето е повече самоувереност? Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

From the author of The Rabbit Who Listened comes a new story about listening to yourself and not to those with too many opinions. Riley is ready to launch her paper airplane, but a lot of birds have many different, intrusive ideas about Riley's design. Will she ever get her plane off the ground? I really enjoyed this book. As usual, Doerrfeld's illustrations are adorable and simple yet effective. I love that Riley's solution is not to doubt herself any further but to get away from the nay-sayers and I also love that a penguin (a flightless bird) is the one that helps Riley in the end. A great book for kids learning how to do things on their own.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit it, Cori Doerrfeld can do no wrong in my eyes. She has the ability to take an SEL concept and make it a narrative that doesn’t beat you over the head with its message. Not only are the drawings charming and engaging but they further the story in a clear way that really draws her audience in. In this title, Riley wants nothing more than their airplane to soar - and everyone around her (flying animals) has advice on making it better. At first, Riley tries to change the plane to fit the advice, and then they just decide to give it up and go their own way. I think this book will speak to the children and also be a fun one to read aloud. A must-purchase for school, public or home libraries!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riley is ready to launch a paper airplane, but a bunch of birds keep halting the launch and have all sorts of advice/critiques on what needs to change before that airplane will fly. Some of the advice is impossible to implement, some is contradictory, and Riley feels overwhelmed by all the critiquing voices. Will this airplane ever be flight-worthy?

A tender story about how you don’t have to listen to all the advice, especially in creative endeavors, and sometimes you just need to try it your way. It is also a bit of a commentary on the best way to support someone is just to be a good cheerleader, like the penguin in this story. (Yay, penguin!) This book could be a great opportunity about when you should listen to others’ advice, and when you can ignore it.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world achingly obsessed with applying gender markers to every child in sight (often if not always disregarding the consent of the child), it remains refreshing to read a book wherein gender plays no role. It isn’t discussed nor theorized nor even spoken. No gender markers in sight.

This is Doerrfeld’s second such picture book. And in a world frequented by cartoon animals adorned in pearl necklaces and boobs dedicated simply to dividing characters up by gender, such a book as this one proves a thought-provoking, planful attempt at cracking open the gender paradigm.

Without the book needing to even be about gender to achieve this same goal.

I love this book.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers see this young girl lose her excitement for flying her paper airplane as all sorts of birds offer critiques and criticisms of her plane. She modifies it after listening to each until she leaves and goes somewhere else to try it. One last bird tells her to wait. However, the penguin is simply there to cheer her on. Lovely message to ignore those who only criticize and have confidence to try things you want to.

[Lannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars. A short read from one of our favorite children’s authors. A tale of a kid who tries, and what happens when there is a lot of outside voices giving unsolicited criticisms and “advice.” The author drives the point home with trying anyway, and listening to the voices of those who truly care about you. Highly recommend, particularly for a child at times needing a boost in self esteem and support.

[Cyndy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable book about following your dreams, no matter how many people (birds) are providing advice about how you really should do something differently (it should be bigger, taller, fancier, etc…). Hopefully you will have a friend like Riley that will encourage you. This book may make you tear up, if things like this happened to you. I highy recommend this book. The illustrations are minimal and yet wonderful. Bonus - There are lots of different birds to talk about.

[Octavia Octopus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet, deftly told tale from Cori Doerrfeld! As a parent, I feel this book as a recovering perfectionist! Aim to be the penguin, loves.
(I also love how the author writes these stories with the protagonist carefully not assigned a pronoun. I assume every kid who reads it assumes the kid is like them? My daughter insists Riley (and Taylor from Rabbit Listened) are girls. Sweet all around!)

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be such a fun one to perform at a storytime, with all the birds swooping in to stop Riley from flying the airplane. A great book to take home to talk to a kid who has a lot of hesitation or perfectionism or who is too concerned about how other people think they should do things. Such a good lesson about just doing things that make you happy and not worrying about making it The Best.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars (I loved it)

Okay, it's official. I love Cori Doerrfeld's books! This one is about a child who has made a paper airplane but before throwing it, birds keep stopping her to get her to make changes. Eventually the child decides to go back to what she started with and a little penguin comes along to be a cheerleader. So absolutely adorable!

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

**This book is being considered as a nominee for next year’s Beehive Book Award for Children in Utah. My review reflects my thoughts as it pertains to that consideration.**

Of the two Cori Doerrfeld books on the long list, I like this one better. It's sweet and heartfelt while still being clever.

Also, PENGUIN!

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley is super excited to fly her paper airplane only to be told by all the bird experts that her planes needs more XYZ to fly well. Their advice only confuses and overwhelms her. She sneaks away to fly her plane only to have a penguin give her one last piece of advice.

Lovely lesson on listening to yourself and celebrating others victories.

[Haridian · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Hola!👋🏻

Hoy os traigo la mini-reseña de un libro ilustrado que es un regalo para la vista 🥹 de peques y no tan peques.
A pesar de ser una historia corta, consiguió emocionarme con su mensaje.

Los 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 que transmite este libro son:
▫️𝐥𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚
▫️𝐥𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐳𝐚 𝐞𝐧 𝐥@𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐦á𝐬 𝐲 𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐧@ 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐦@
▫️𝐥𝐚 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐝

ℹ️ɴғᴏ 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀:
▫️Tapa dura
▫️Ilustraciones realizadas por la autora

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Doerrfeld's work and I was not disappointed here. Her signature wisdom and guidance soars. There is humor and heart; and that phenomenal pacing--the rise and fall, the maintenance of tone.

Another one of hers to leave in staff rooms and on coffee tables at family gatherings.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young man makes a paper airplane but all the birds tell him to do it differently, until he meets a penguin friend that joins him in making it his own. A good storyline with some fun characters and connections to the birds and their own personalities.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story about a determined little boy who just wants to fly his paper airplane, but he gets too much unwanted advice from many birds. Finally the perfect supportive friend appears. We all need a penguin friend in our lives.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Райли иска да пусне едно самолетче да лети, но разни птици идват да му кажат, че няма да стане по неговият начин. Но е важно да опиташ сам и да разбереш дали можеш или не. А най-хубаво е когато имаш приятел до теб.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Riley makes a paper airplane, all the birds give her pushy advice about why it won't work and what she needs to do to make it fly right. I loved the penguin at the end and the message this book sent about being encouraging.