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Mio papà sa volare
Strane cose succedono in città. Il papà si è messo a costruire un paio d'ali, a mangiare mosche e persino a farsi un nido. La zia Doreen non fa altro che infuriarsi e impastare gli occhi. Il signor Poop sfila per le strade urlando sempre più forte e persino il preside Mentina ha bizzarri progetti per la testa. E tutto questo sotto gli occhi di Lizzie, che si prende cura del papà da quando non c'è più la mamma e che sta per scoprire quanto è bello provare a volare...
123 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2007
13 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
About the author
David Almond
121 books823 followersDavid Almond is a British children's writer who has penned several novels, each one to critical acclaim. He was born and raised in Felling and Newcastle in post-industrial North East England and educated at the University of East Anglia. When he was young, he found his love of writing when some short stories of his were published in a local magazine. He started out as an author of adult fiction before finding his niche writing literature for young adults.
His first children's novel, Skellig (1998), set in Newcastle, won the Whitbread Children's Novel of the Year Award and also the Carnegie Medal. His subsequent novels are: Kit's Wilderness (1999), Heaven Eyes (2000), Secret Heart (2001), The Fire Eaters (2003) and Clay (2005). His first play aimed at adolescents, Wild Girl, Wild Boy, toured in 2001 and was published in 2002.
His works are highly philosophical and thus appeal to children and adults alike. Recurring themes throughout include the complex relationships between apparent opposites (such as life and death, reality and fiction, past and future); forms of education; growing up and adapting to change; the nature of 'the self'. He has been greatly influenced by the works of the English Romantic poet William Blake.
He is an author often suggested on National Curriculum reading lists in the United Kingdom and has attracted the attention of academics who specialise in the study of children's literature.
Almond currently lives with his family in Northumberland, England.
Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (2010).
His first children's novel, Skellig (1998), set in Newcastle, won the Whitbread Children's Novel of the Year Award and also the Carnegie Medal. His subsequent novels are: Kit's Wilderness (1999), Heaven Eyes (2000), Secret Heart (2001), The Fire Eaters (2003) and Clay (2005). His first play aimed at adolescents, Wild Girl, Wild Boy, toured in 2001 and was published in 2002.
His works are highly philosophical and thus appeal to children and adults alike. Recurring themes throughout include the complex relationships between apparent opposites (such as life and death, reality and fiction, past and future); forms of education; growing up and adapting to change; the nature of 'the self'. He has been greatly influenced by the works of the English Romantic poet William Blake.
He is an author often suggested on National Curriculum reading lists in the United Kingdom and has attracted the attention of academics who specialise in the study of children's literature.
Almond currently lives with his family in Northumberland, England.
Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (2010).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
December 11, 2012
Dear David,
Well, you got me. After my rapturous reading of My Name is Mina, I came to My Dad's a Birdman with open arms. I fell in love with the jacket and then, I fell in love with the book.
The thing about your books, about Mina, about Skellig, and about My Dad's a Birdman, is that they are full of magic. And it's not top-hat, wand-wielding, rabbit out of a hat magic. It's the sort of magic that lives next door. Or in the kitchen. Or in the hands of a dumpling pulled together by song.
And it's the sort of magic that knows shadow, and knows light. It's the magic that knows pain, that understand that life can be pain, but doesn't give it rhyme or reason or rationale. It's the sort of magic that just is and accepts that it is .
And it's beautiful. It's beautiful.
And My Dad's a Birdman is beautiful. It's the sort of book that you have to go along with, because if you're left behind, that's it. You need to jump. You need to fly. Because if you don't, then you're just grief, raw and shadowy and lost in a life you once lived.
So David, can you stop making me cry? Can you stop making me cry with the quietest of words and the softest of sounds and the damn damn suet that seems to just embody everything and everyone in the briefest of moments?
And can you just, please, just keep on doing what you're doing?
Yours,
Me.
Well, you got me. After my rapturous reading of My Name is Mina, I came to My Dad's a Birdman with open arms. I fell in love with the jacket and then, I fell in love with the book.
The thing about your books, about Mina, about Skellig, and about My Dad's a Birdman, is that they are full of magic. And it's not top-hat, wand-wielding, rabbit out of a hat magic. It's the sort of magic that lives next door. Or in the kitchen. Or in the hands of a dumpling pulled together by song.
And it's the sort of magic that knows shadow, and knows light. It's the magic that knows pain, that understand that life can be pain, but doesn't give it rhyme or reason or rationale. It's the sort of magic that just is and accepts that it is .
And it's beautiful. It's beautiful.
And My Dad's a Birdman is beautiful. It's the sort of book that you have to go along with, because if you're left behind, that's it. You need to jump. You need to fly. Because if you don't, then you're just grief, raw and shadowy and lost in a life you once lived.
So David, can you stop making me cry? Can you stop making me cry with the quietest of words and the softest of sounds and the damn damn suet that seems to just embody everything and everyone in the briefest of moments?
And can you just, please, just keep on doing what you're doing?
Yours,
Me.
August 4, 2013
My Dad’s A Birdman by David Almond and illustrated by Polly Dunbar
Published: 2007
Age range: 7 years +
Brief Synopsis:
This is an imaginative story of fiction. It provides an element of descriptive wonder, set in a realistic real world setting. Jackie Crow is Lizzie’s father, who sees himself as a ‘Birdman’; somebody that can fly with man-made wings just like a bird. Lizzie is a young girl who takes on the mother figure in the household, looking after her father (who is perhaps dealing with depression after the loss of his wife). It is an endearing story of unconditional love, juxtaposed with the humorous and larger than life characters of Mr Poop and Auntie Doreen. The novel follows their journey as things start to change whilst preparing their wings for ‘The Human Bird competition’ to be held at the River Tyne near where they live. Will they fly or will they fall in the ‘drink’?
My Opinion:
I would interpret this as a novel about loss, yet it is dealt with in a light-hearted manner, that it actually becomes a story of a man wanting to fly. The issue of loss is not dealt with directly, yet it is inferred between conversations between the characters. As a result Jackie has become detached from reality and yearns to be a bird, to be free and fly the great Northern skies, all to please and make his daughter Lizzie happy. Almond shows the role reversal of parent and child, Lizzie has responsibilities other than school, becoming a carer for her father by making sure that he is eating well.
David Almond creates a light-hearted atmosphere about a serious issue. This is a good book to use to enlighten and develop the use of imagination in writing and inform students of loss. For this reason, I think this novel should be used as an example to explain the different types of households and families that exist. To cement the idea that everyone has their own type of family unit. The novel ends with the moral that it’s not the winning that matters but the taking part. This fits in well with highlighting the importance of participation. In the novel even though the characters fail to take off into flight like a bird, they become closer and showed that regardless of their situation, they still care for one another.
Uses In The Classroom:
This is a simple book, in terms of vocabulary and sentence structure, to read to children aged six, however children aged eight and above will get the most out of it. The long descriptions will help them in identifying how to tackle creative writing. Ideal to be read aloud to a class, which could be completed within a week as it’s not very long. This is a good resource for cross curricular activities, to be used to support topics in art, drama, science, design and technology and literacy.
For a key stage one class, after reading through the whole novel, asking students to draw their own 'Birdman' competition entry will allow them to be creative and express themselves in art lessons. A further development would be within science and topics of forces, resistance and weight. To use the idea of creating wings, allowing students to think what the best materials will be to glide through the air. Looking at different modes of flight and how it can be adapted to a smaller scale. This enriches a child’s imagination as well as developing their problem solving skills.
With a key stage 2, Year 3-4 class a good incorporation of the book would be to use the theatre adapted version and teach students, ‘reading theatre’. To be used within literacy lessons, this would help them understand the uses of emphasis in reading and, promote confidence in reading and acting out scenarios. Enabling students to understand how punctuation can be used to represent excitement, anger, frustration and different moods and emotions. Within science and design and technology, the idea of creating wings to fly though the sky would be a good project to support the novel read within literacy lessons. Children would first learn about resistance and force, and then they would research the best materials to use to make models that will fly the best. This can be put into practice by putting students into groups and measuring which model travels the furthest.
Published: 2007
Age range: 7 years +
Brief Synopsis:
This is an imaginative story of fiction. It provides an element of descriptive wonder, set in a realistic real world setting. Jackie Crow is Lizzie’s father, who sees himself as a ‘Birdman’; somebody that can fly with man-made wings just like a bird. Lizzie is a young girl who takes on the mother figure in the household, looking after her father (who is perhaps dealing with depression after the loss of his wife). It is an endearing story of unconditional love, juxtaposed with the humorous and larger than life characters of Mr Poop and Auntie Doreen. The novel follows their journey as things start to change whilst preparing their wings for ‘The Human Bird competition’ to be held at the River Tyne near where they live. Will they fly or will they fall in the ‘drink’?
My Opinion:
I would interpret this as a novel about loss, yet it is dealt with in a light-hearted manner, that it actually becomes a story of a man wanting to fly. The issue of loss is not dealt with directly, yet it is inferred between conversations between the characters. As a result Jackie has become detached from reality and yearns to be a bird, to be free and fly the great Northern skies, all to please and make his daughter Lizzie happy. Almond shows the role reversal of parent and child, Lizzie has responsibilities other than school, becoming a carer for her father by making sure that he is eating well.
David Almond creates a light-hearted atmosphere about a serious issue. This is a good book to use to enlighten and develop the use of imagination in writing and inform students of loss. For this reason, I think this novel should be used as an example to explain the different types of households and families that exist. To cement the idea that everyone has their own type of family unit. The novel ends with the moral that it’s not the winning that matters but the taking part. This fits in well with highlighting the importance of participation. In the novel even though the characters fail to take off into flight like a bird, they become closer and showed that regardless of their situation, they still care for one another.
Uses In The Classroom:
This is a simple book, in terms of vocabulary and sentence structure, to read to children aged six, however children aged eight and above will get the most out of it. The long descriptions will help them in identifying how to tackle creative writing. Ideal to be read aloud to a class, which could be completed within a week as it’s not very long. This is a good resource for cross curricular activities, to be used to support topics in art, drama, science, design and technology and literacy.
For a key stage one class, after reading through the whole novel, asking students to draw their own 'Birdman' competition entry will allow them to be creative and express themselves in art lessons. A further development would be within science and topics of forces, resistance and weight. To use the idea of creating wings, allowing students to think what the best materials will be to glide through the air. Looking at different modes of flight and how it can be adapted to a smaller scale. This enriches a child’s imagination as well as developing their problem solving skills.
With a key stage 2, Year 3-4 class a good incorporation of the book would be to use the theatre adapted version and teach students, ‘reading theatre’. To be used within literacy lessons, this would help them understand the uses of emphasis in reading and, promote confidence in reading and acting out scenarios. Enabling students to understand how punctuation can be used to represent excitement, anger, frustration and different moods and emotions. Within science and design and technology, the idea of creating wings to fly though the sky would be a good project to support the novel read within literacy lessons. Children would first learn about resistance and force, and then they would research the best materials to use to make models that will fly the best. This can be put into practice by putting students into groups and measuring which model travels the furthest.
March 20, 2022
اولین کتاب ۱۴۰۱
بامداد ۱/۱، خونه مامانجون.
توی طاقچه خوندمش و دوستش داشتم. شاید یه روزی برای برادرزادهم بخرمش.
بامداد ۱/۱، خونه مامانجون.
توی طاقچه خوندمش و دوستش داشتم. شاید یه روزی برای برادرزادهم بخرمش.
November 30, 2016
A lovely story exploring responses to grief - great at all levels. I finished it and immediately my 6 year old daughter snapped it up - she's enjoying it so far and it's the first long book she's read on her own.
January 1, 2022
رویایی بودن و لطافت داستان فوقالعاده بود. اولین کتابی بود که از دیوید آلموند خوندم و همین قلم شگفتانگیز، باعث شد تقریبا هفتاد درصد کتابهای این نویسنده رو بخونم!
March 9, 2025
Reseñado en mi blog Nanny Books
Antes de empezar mis vacaciones, decidí agarrar de la Biblioteca Escolar un par de libros que me interesaban para chusmear si puedo o no trabajarlos con mis estudiantes. Este en particular se había trabajado en una capacitación el año pasado, sobre Clubes de Lectura. Durante la misma, se eligieron libros que por sus temáticas necesitan una mediación docente y que para trabajar en grandes grupos resultan disruptivos. A mí me había tocado En el arca a las ocho de Ulrich Hub, librito que me encantó. A mi compañera de equipo le tocó Mi papá es un hombre pájaro de David Almond y me dijo que le había parecido aburridísimo. Sin embargo, como este libro está dentro del canon escolar (permitidos por el Diseño de CABA y Prov. de Buenos Aires, algunos distribuidos directamente por el Ministerio de Educación de la Nación en aquellos hermosos años donde enviaban libros a las escuelas), decidí que tenía que enterarme de qué iba este libro tan polémico.
Pues bien, me equivoqué. Me pareció horrible desde la primera página. Ese tipo de lectura que te preguntas a cada rato "¿qué estoy leyendo?", seguido de un "¿por qué me hago esto a mi misma?". Hay muchas referencias que cualquier adulto (incluso uno que ande medio dormido) puede entender como el declive de la demencia causada por una fuerte depresión (desde el abandono personal, la negación, los cambios de humor, la falta de memoria, la anorexia, etc.). Todas cosas muy serias y que espero que los lectores más jóvenes no capten del todo. Claro que el hecho de que el padre de la protagonista esté loco, eso sí se dan cuenta, porque es tema de conversación en la novela.
Frente al reciente fallecimiento de su madre, la protagonista se encuentra faltando a la escuela para cuidar a su padre. Gritemos juntos: ¡vulneración de derechos infantiles! Seguramente puede ser un tema para discutir en clase con una buena docente que tenga tacto y la ley de ESI bajo el brazo, pero es algo bastante peliagudo hoy en día.
Y estas dos cosas son solo lo más notable del libro. Después hay una cantidad enorme de detalles pequeños que al lector adulto le resultarán inquietantes. ¿Cómo es posible entonces que esta novela esté en las escuelas? Ah, pues David Almond esconde lo más grave bajo una comedia del absurdo donde a medida que vamos leyendo los límites se vuelven cada vez más irrisorios.
Sin embargo, gran parte de la trama debería venir con una etiqueta que diga: "No intente esto en casa". Especialmente en la competencia, en donde algunas participaciones pueden dar ideas equivocadas a los chicos. ¿Los cohetes? Algo que salva mucho al libro son las ilustraciones de Polly Dunbar que resultan muy tiernas (especialmente la que ocupa doble hoja, padre e hija en el nido). Las ilustraciones le bajan un cambio al tono de la novela, que te narra con toda seriedad esta encadenación de hechos absurdos.
El final de la novela no arriesga a encontrar una cura, pero entre frases y bailes cursis terminan asentando que cualquier cosa se atraviesa felizmente si estamos juntos con la familia. O sea, no. Disculpame, pero no. Esta romantización de la demencia, lo único que hace es que se vulneren los derechos de la niña, que no tenía que andar cuidando a su padre, mucho menos cuando existían adultos que debían hacerse cargo de la situación (tía Dorita te estoy mirando a vos). Pero en fin, como se darán cuenta, me costó mucho separar mi visión como adulta. Quizás un lector más joven no encuentre en el libro nada más que una historia absurda y ya. Pero aún así, no puedo recomendar una historia como esta.
June 27, 2008
Okay...here I am a month later and I have to say just thinking about this one creeps me out...keep that in mind...
Lizzie and her dad live alone together. Dad wants to be a bird. He eats bugs, makes wings, and doesn't do normal adult things at all. Lizzie is the adult in the family but can't cope because she's a little child. An aunt checks in on them frequently, but does not understand how to deal with their world. When a "human bird contest" comes to town, Lizzie and her dad decide to show off their stuff.
This is tough book. It's whimsical and sweet, but confusing. Is Lizzie's dad mad or merely daft or simply fun and child-like? Is this a problem we need to worry about? I must confess that I was worried and had a little worried worm in my tummy the whole time I was reading. Judge for yourselves, I guess.
Also, I was dismayed at how the book is marketed to appeal to Roald Dahl fans since it is nothing like the same kind of disturbed that his books are. Uncomfortable, not raucus.
Polly Dunbar's illustrations are delightful, as always; she's one of my favorite illustrators.
Lizzie and her dad live alone together. Dad wants to be a bird. He eats bugs, makes wings, and doesn't do normal adult things at all. Lizzie is the adult in the family but can't cope because she's a little child. An aunt checks in on them frequently, but does not understand how to deal with their world. When a "human bird contest" comes to town, Lizzie and her dad decide to show off their stuff.
This is tough book. It's whimsical and sweet, but confusing. Is Lizzie's dad mad or merely daft or simply fun and child-like? Is this a problem we need to worry about? I must confess that I was worried and had a little worried worm in my tummy the whole time I was reading. Judge for yourselves, I guess.
Also, I was dismayed at how the book is marketed to appeal to Roald Dahl fans since it is nothing like the same kind of disturbed that his books are. Uncomfortable, not raucus.
Polly Dunbar's illustrations are delightful, as always; she's one of my favorite illustrators.
July 31, 2011
Written in the third person, this book tells the story of Lizzie and her Father. Although never explicitly written, it is implied that Lizzie's Mother has died and so Lizzie and her Father are left to cope alone. It seems to me to be a story in which Lizzie and her Father overcome their grief through 'Father's' obsession with being able to fly and their partnership in the Human Bird Competition. Although this story did have some sad undertones, it is ultimately a humorous read (especially with the introduction of Auntie Doreen!) The illustrations in the hardback version (Polly Dunbar) added immensely to the reading of the story; it especially helped bring to life the colour and humour present in the Human Bird Competition.
I think this book would suit being read aloud to a class, the descriptive language and witty dialogue is likely to grip all.
I think this book would suit being read aloud to a class, the descriptive language and witty dialogue is likely to grip all.
September 1, 2014
"My Dad's a Birdman" is a brilliant retelling of the Daedalus and Icarus myth for contemporary times, but it was a little disturbing, especially at the beginning. I love the feeling of being surprised by the strange details of an odd tale. In fact, that kind of surprise is one of the greatest joys of reading for me. With that in mind, however, maybe this one should be shelved as one of those "children's books for adults." There is some valuable wisdom here about the power of love and the necessity of taking a leap of faith during the hardest and darkest times in our lives.
November 23, 2018
واقعیتش اینه که ۳.۵ امتیاز میدم. ساده و صمیمی و عمیق بود و اصراری نداشت که شخصیتشو زورکی قهرمان کنه و نمونهی خوبی از لذت بردن از لحظه رو نشون میداد ولی پرداختش قوی نبود. حس میکردم خیلی عجولانه داره از همه چیز داره عبور میکنه؛ انگار در یک نشست نوشته و تموم شده باشه، بدون ادیت.
January 30, 2018
I think one of the things I liked about this book the most was the illustrations - which I think brought it to life. I thought the illustrations themselves reminded me of Quentin Blake books - which themselves reminded me of my childhood so was quite happy that I picked this one line title in choosing the book to begin with. The book is about a Dad who wants to enter a crazy competition, and in turn acts like a bird. His daughter ( Lizzie ) enters the competition with him. We meet some extremely funny characters like the mad aunt - who tries to stop them entering the competition. I loved the heart warming relationship between father and daughter, which i thought was cleverly done. There are sensitive issues in this, where the book does talk (not for very long) but about losing a parent - but it's been done in such a way that really makes the book resonate with you. There are other themes carried throughout like the hope of getting there and making it, and holding on to your beliefs and dreams which again I thought warmed the heart! Good book, and a fun read!
April 5, 2018
It's batty. It's barmy. It's wonderfully wacky. A terrific heart-warming story of a family coping with grief, enjoying each other's company and shared experiences. Very Dahl-esque and very good.
January 24, 2019
I was excited to read this after reading Skellig, and it didn't disappoint. A lovely, fun story with fantastic illustrations.
October 31, 2021
هزاران کتاب دربارهی غلبهکردن به غم و سوگواری نوشته شده اما امروز محبوبترینشون برای من این کتابه.
May 17, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyable silly story about a dad who thinks he is a bird and his ever-loyal daughter who joins him in his madcap flying ambitions.
December 27, 2021
گاهی وقت ها باید به ندای کودک درون مون گوش کنیم ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
پشیمون نمیشیم، برعکس شاد هم میشیم.
این کتاب میگه رویاپرداز باش، دست رو دست نذار که رویاهات پرواز کنن و از دستت در برن.
بچسب بهشون حتی اگر غیرممکن باشند. غیرممکن در حد پرواز کردن یه آدم با بال و پر های ساختگی ;)
.
قصه ی بابایی که دوست داشت پرواز کنه، دختر کوچولوش دل به دلش داد و باهم پرواز کردن، آخرش نرسیدن به آسمون ولی افتادن تو آب ~(˘▾˘~)
عوضش خوشحال بودن و شاد.
♥‿♥
دوسش داشتم.
پشیمون نمیشیم، برعکس شاد هم میشیم.
این کتاب میگه رویاپرداز باش، دست رو دست نذار که رویاهات پرواز کنن و از دستت در برن.
بچسب بهشون حتی اگر غیرممکن باشند. غیرممکن در حد پرواز کردن یه آدم با بال و پر های ساختگی ;)
.
قصه ی بابایی که دوست داشت پرواز کنه، دختر کوچولوش دل به دلش داد و باهم پرواز کردن، آخرش نرسیدن به آسمون ولی افتادن تو آب ~(˘▾˘~)
عوضش خوشحال بودن و شاد.
♥‿♥
دوسش داشتم.
November 30, 2008
David Almond struck a chord that resonated throughout the Kids' Team with My Dad's a Birdman, a novel that is whimsically illustrated and darkly comic in a very British way. The story of Lizzie and her dad bonding over the Great Human Bird Competition (which also serves to mask their grief over Mom's death) has both the strange lightheartedness of Roald Dahl's Matilda and the emotional maturity of Michael Rosen's Sad Book. My Dad's a Birdman was originally a play, and one of the character's names is Mr. Poop — try reading it out loud and not laughing.
Recommended by Adam P., Powells.com
Recommended by Adam P., Powells.com
February 10, 2008
One Sentence Review: Generally Almond's delicate prose and complementary darkness can be alluring to me, but when he shoots particularly young (as he does here) it leaves the reader feeling a bit perturbed in the process.
June 30, 2012
A metaphor with dialogue in the cockney accent. It's about much more than entering a human bird contest. It's about togetherness and finding happiness when you're lost inside the pit of grief. Cute short novel from an odd bird author.
August 15, 2015
This book was amazing, absolutely loved it. However, I did feel something was missing.
September 15, 2019
A quirky tale about family, love and grief, David Almond has once again created a beautiful and odd story for young readers.
June 12, 2025
"Una normale mattina di primavera al numero 12 di via dell'Allodola. Fuori gli uccelli cinguettavano e fischiavano. In sottofondo si udiva il rombo del traffico. La sveglia fece DRIIINNN. Lizzie balzò giù dal letto, si sciacquò la faccia, si fregò dietro le orecchie, si lavò i denti, si spazzolò i capelli, infilò la divisa scolastica, scese le scale, riempì d'acqua il bollitore, lo accese, mise il pane nel tostapane, apparecchiò la tavola con due piatti, due tazze, due coltelli, latte, burro e marmellata, poi si mise ai piedi delle scale. gridò. . Nessuna risposta. . Nessuna risposta. Pestò forte il piede sul primo gradino, poi sul secondo. urlò. Sentì un grugnito seguito da un lamento, e poi più niente".
Lizzie è una bambina veramente, veramente intelligente, vive con suo papà perché la mamma è morta, e da quando è successo il signor Jack non ha più voglia di fare nulla, neanche di alzarsi dal letto. Un medico la definirebbe depressione, probabilmente allerterebbe i servizi sociali e Lizzie andrebbe a stare con sua zia. E in effetti la zia prova a sistemare la situazione, prova a chiedere a Lizzie di andare a stare con lei perché Jack secondo lei è uno svitato: si sta preparando ad una gara di volo grazie a un paio di ali che si è costruito in gran segreto, raccattando piume, rami, penne e quant'altro. Almond continua a presentarci storie di bambini adulti alle prese con i dolori della vita, contornandoli da quel mondo dei volatili che tanto lo attrae, per forme e libertà, e questa volta lo fa con un romanzo per ragazzi un po' piu piccoli rispetto ai destinatari di Mina e Skellig, ma con la stessa forza e creatività - unico neo, è un fuori catalogo, quindi se riuscite a trovarlo all'usato non fatevelo scappare. Perché alla fine vedrete che Jack non è svitato o svuotato, cerca solo di trovare la felicità nel provare a fare qualcosa di impossibile come volare, e il suo entusiasmo contagia un po' tutti, Lizzie compresa. E non importa se tutto finisce con un buco (o meglio, un tuffo) nell'acqua: padre e figlia ci hanno provato, si sono immensamente divertiti, e lo hanno fatto insieme.
Lizzie è una bambina veramente, veramente intelligente, vive con suo papà perché la mamma è morta, e da quando è successo il signor Jack non ha più voglia di fare nulla, neanche di alzarsi dal letto. Un medico la definirebbe depressione, probabilmente allerterebbe i servizi sociali e Lizzie andrebbe a stare con sua zia. E in effetti la zia prova a sistemare la situazione, prova a chiedere a Lizzie di andare a stare con lei perché Jack secondo lei è uno svitato: si sta preparando ad una gara di volo grazie a un paio di ali che si è costruito in gran segreto, raccattando piume, rami, penne e quant'altro. Almond continua a presentarci storie di bambini adulti alle prese con i dolori della vita, contornandoli da quel mondo dei volatili che tanto lo attrae, per forme e libertà, e questa volta lo fa con un romanzo per ragazzi un po' piu piccoli rispetto ai destinatari di Mina e Skellig, ma con la stessa forza e creatività - unico neo, è un fuori catalogo, quindi se riuscite a trovarlo all'usato non fatevelo scappare. Perché alla fine vedrete che Jack non è svitato o svuotato, cerca solo di trovare la felicità nel provare a fare qualcosa di impossibile come volare, e il suo entusiasmo contagia un po' tutti, Lizzie compresa. E non importa se tutto finisce con un buco (o meglio, un tuffo) nell'acqua: padre e figlia ci hanno provato, si sono immensamente divertiti, e lo hanno fatto insieme.
November 26, 2017
David Almond is exceptional. He is an author that gives young readers enough to take with them to bed at night and come out triumphant the next morning. He wants kids to think and be challenged, but he has an uncanny ability to mete out the goods in dashes and dollops perfect for his audience.
I would highly recommend this book for a stage 2 (years 3 and 4) shared reading text or group text.
Like all his books, it warrants real discussion to draw young readers to the big themes which they might overlook (and this is a masterful ability by Almond) if they read it alone.
This is a tale of a caregiver who has lost the ability to make sound decisions. His daughter rises to the challenge of raising herself, keeping her dad as safe as possible, and warding off an intrusive, but well-meaning aunty. It is also about recognising the value of seeing things differently, and being respectful of those who might be cracked, but might also be visionary.
If you're old man was William Blake, you'd have yourself a handful. Well, this dad's a birdman.
I would highly recommend this book for a stage 2 (years 3 and 4) shared reading text or group text.
Like all his books, it warrants real discussion to draw young readers to the big themes which they might overlook (and this is a masterful ability by Almond) if they read it alone.
This is a tale of a caregiver who has lost the ability to make sound decisions. His daughter rises to the challenge of raising herself, keeping her dad as safe as possible, and warding off an intrusive, but well-meaning aunty. It is also about recognising the value of seeing things differently, and being respectful of those who might be cracked, but might also be visionary.
If you're old man was William Blake, you'd have yourself a handful. Well, this dad's a birdman.
July 12, 2023
Another heartwarming success by David Almond. My Dad's a Birdman is written for younger children and would feel like one of Dahl's shorter novels were it not for the overwhelming sense of joy and love in the story. Dahl was master of many things, joy without an element of cynicism was not one of them. Almond can't do it unfettered either. There is unspoken sadness in this madcap tale. Lizzie has lost her mum (we don't find out the details) and her dad is seemingly unable to cope with it. While young Lizzie tries to play the adult in the family, her dad is at home constructing a pair of wings to enter a flying competition. In order to increase his chances he has adopted a bird-like diet, roaming the garden looking for worms and bugs. His sister, Aunt Doreen, attempts to impose some sense of sanity on the household, her predominant tool being very solid suet dumplings. Her pleadings come to nothing as Lizzie decides she is going to support her dad and even enter the competition herself. They sign up with the loudmouth Mr Poop and prepare by building a nest in the kitchen.
It's gloriously silly and celebratory, full of simple but worth morals. Though it might, to the adult reader, be visible as a coping strategy after the loss of Lizzie's mum, the clearer message is that humour and laughter is a balm and that silliness should be embraced. Neither dad nor Doreen are ridiculed. Their methods are both wrapped in love for each other and an attempt to make everything right. Lizzie is always the calm middle ground. The second half narrates the competition itself, a riotous collection of wild, failed ideas to get the human body off the ground, all accompanied by Mr Poop's booming commentary, perfect for a read-aloud to younger children. I loved the ending - a clear and understandable moral message again, one that children frequently find difficult - it's the taking part that counts. Reading this and feeling the joy the family feel and the fun they've had, it's difficult to imagine that the winning is at all important. It's amazing how Almond can take such a simple idea and turn it into something poignant, yet maintaining a cohesive set of themes - there are other men with wings in his work but they tell different stories. As usual, this little David Almond book is perfect just as it is.
It's gloriously silly and celebratory, full of simple but worth morals. Though it might, to the adult reader, be visible as a coping strategy after the loss of Lizzie's mum, the clearer message is that humour and laughter is a balm and that silliness should be embraced. Neither dad nor Doreen are ridiculed. Their methods are both wrapped in love for each other and an attempt to make everything right. Lizzie is always the calm middle ground. The second half narrates the competition itself, a riotous collection of wild, failed ideas to get the human body off the ground, all accompanied by Mr Poop's booming commentary, perfect for a read-aloud to younger children. I loved the ending - a clear and understandable moral message again, one that children frequently find difficult - it's the taking part that counts. Reading this and feeling the joy the family feel and the fun they've had, it's difficult to imagine that the winning is at all important. It's amazing how Almond can take such a simple idea and turn it into something poignant, yet maintaining a cohesive set of themes - there are other men with wings in his work but they tell different stories. As usual, this little David Almond book is perfect just as it is.
December 25, 2020
David Almond siempre es garantía de buenas historias. Y con está volvió a fascinarme.
¿Para qué leer Mi papá es un hombre pájaro?
1. Muestra perfectamente el escape aunque algo extraño jejeje de como una familia supera la perdida de un miembro importante la mamá.
2. Te da en dosis de comedia y ternura la vinculación sentimental entre padre e hija.
3. Te dicta con frases contundentes lo importante del trabajo en equipo.
4. El texto aplaude que lo importante no sólo es llevar una rutina en el hogar sino divertirte y crear recuerdos verdaderos.
5. El texto en verdad es tan divertido que hace que las hojas pasen volando. Ya que el padre que se creé ave, la tía que quiere arreglar todo con comida y el encargado del evento de los hombres pájaros el señor Popó te harán destornillarte de risa.
Un texto que recomiendo bastante sobre todo para leer en familia un capitulo antes de irte a dormir para que sueñes con las escenas de esta maravillosa historia.
¿Para qué leer Mi papá es un hombre pájaro?
1. Muestra perfectamente el escape aunque algo extraño jejeje de como una familia supera la perdida de un miembro importante la mamá.
2. Te da en dosis de comedia y ternura la vinculación sentimental entre padre e hija.
3. Te dicta con frases contundentes lo importante del trabajo en equipo.
4. El texto aplaude que lo importante no sólo es llevar una rutina en el hogar sino divertirte y crear recuerdos verdaderos.
5. El texto en verdad es tan divertido que hace que las hojas pasen volando. Ya que el padre que se creé ave, la tía que quiere arreglar todo con comida y el encargado del evento de los hombres pájaros el señor Popó te harán destornillarte de risa.
Un texto que recomiendo bastante sobre todo para leer en familia un capitulo antes de irte a dormir para que sueñes con las escenas de esta maravillosa historia.
May 15, 2024
what a sweet little book this was.
very roald dahl-esque, in a sense.
the illustrations were one thing, reminiscent of quentin blake’s style but with fun collage-y aspects.
but the way the characters were written, and the delightfully disgusting traits a few of them had (dad with his worm eating, aunt with her dumpling chucking).
i loved little miss crow. she was smart as a whip, but never unnecessarily displayed it. she had all the knowledge in the world, she knew their little bird flight would fail, but she still helped her dad with it. it was all so wholesome.
i liked this one part where the girl told her dad that it would be fine even if their idea failed, and they splashed into the water, but dad just cawed and cawed and didn’t reply, as though in denial. then, hours later, he brings it up and says that he agrees.
this made me feel things.
overall, i enjoyed the book, i’d love to read it with a child sometime, to get their thoughts on it. :)
very roald dahl-esque, in a sense.
the illustrations were one thing, reminiscent of quentin blake’s style but with fun collage-y aspects.
but the way the characters were written, and the delightfully disgusting traits a few of them had (dad with his worm eating, aunt with her dumpling chucking).
i loved little miss crow. she was smart as a whip, but never unnecessarily displayed it. she had all the knowledge in the world, she knew their little bird flight would fail, but she still helped her dad with it. it was all so wholesome.
i liked this one part where the girl told her dad that it would be fine even if their idea failed, and they splashed into the water, but dad just cawed and cawed and didn’t reply, as though in denial. then, hours later, he brings it up and says that he agrees.
this made me feel things.
overall, i enjoyed the book, i’d love to read it with a child sometime, to get their thoughts on it. :)
July 7, 2022
This children’s book by David Almond and illustrated by Polly Dunbar, was an unexpected find at a recent second hand book sale and I’m thrilled it found its way to me!
This is a sweet gem of a story about Lizzie, her Dad, her Auntie Doreen, Mr. Poop and Mr. Mint. It’s about how each one of us deals with grief uniquely and yet how we can collectively celebrate and mourn life and death if we allow ourselves grace. It underscores the importance of family bonds and the healing power of imagination. It celebrates courage, creativity and compassion through Almond’s sensitive narrative and Dunbar’s whimsical illustrations. I adored the relationship between Lizzie and her Dad, how she takes care of him when he needs it. I admired Auntie Doreen’s compassion and the courage of Mr. Mint’s convictions. Mr. Poop’s cautiously wholehearted encouragement was just the motivation Lizzie and her Dad needed, in the pursuit of their dreams!
This book brought me joy and hope and gave me all the feels! A wonderful way to spend an hour reading - by yourself or better still with the children in your life 😊
This is a sweet gem of a story about Lizzie, her Dad, her Auntie Doreen, Mr. Poop and Mr. Mint. It’s about how each one of us deals with grief uniquely and yet how we can collectively celebrate and mourn life and death if we allow ourselves grace. It underscores the importance of family bonds and the healing power of imagination. It celebrates courage, creativity and compassion through Almond’s sensitive narrative and Dunbar’s whimsical illustrations. I adored the relationship between Lizzie and her Dad, how she takes care of him when he needs it. I admired Auntie Doreen’s compassion and the courage of Mr. Mint’s convictions. Mr. Poop’s cautiously wholehearted encouragement was just the motivation Lizzie and her Dad needed, in the pursuit of their dreams!
This book brought me joy and hope and gave me all the feels! A wonderful way to spend an hour reading - by yourself or better still with the children in your life 😊
July 27, 2017
Lizzie and her dad live in a British city and are clearly suffering the loss of Lizzie's mother. Lizzie has to get her dad up and see that he eats and dresses. Dad is completely caught up with being a bird. He's eating bugs and has made fantastic wings from things he's found and plans to enter the Great Human Bird Competition and that has Auntie Doreen very worried.
As the silliness goes on, with a Mr. Poop coming round to sign folks up for the competition, Lizzie begins to take a kinder view of her dad's nuttiness eventually making her own wings and entering the contest herself.
The tale is a lovely look at how the death of a loved one can throw people off the rails and worry their family. Kindness and listening and not giving up helps those left behind to heal.
As the silliness goes on, with a Mr. Poop coming round to sign folks up for the competition, Lizzie begins to take a kinder view of her dad's nuttiness eventually making her own wings and entering the contest herself.
The tale is a lovely look at how the death of a loved one can throw people off the rails and worry their family. Kindness and listening and not giving up helps those left behind to heal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2018
Alice: 5 stars. Terrific.
Jenny: 5 stars. A very charming book about a dad and his daughter who are trying to cope with life after the death of the mom. The book does not come out and say that the mom died, but that she is gone. The book gives the impression that dad is lost and he directs his energy to creating a set of wings to enter a contest to fly like a bird. Daughter is trying to hold them together by watching over dad, like a parent. Aunt gets wind of it and tries to get the school teacher to make the daughter live with the aunt. It ends with the contest being a big failure, yet it brings them all together because it was a great experience nonetheless. A great read that I read to Alice.
Jenny: 5 stars. A very charming book about a dad and his daughter who are trying to cope with life after the death of the mom. The book does not come out and say that the mom died, but that she is gone. The book gives the impression that dad is lost and he directs his energy to creating a set of wings to enter a contest to fly like a bird. Daughter is trying to hold them together by watching over dad, like a parent. Aunt gets wind of it and tries to get the school teacher to make the daughter live with the aunt. It ends with the contest being a big failure, yet it brings them all together because it was a great experience nonetheless. A great read that I read to Alice.
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