Why Should I Walk? I Can Fly!: An Inspiring Growth Mindset Book For Kids About Birds

by Ann Ingalls, Rebecca Evans (Illustrator)

A little bird, a big sky, and the first time out of the nest! A robin's first flight is a gentle reminder about what we can accomplish if we just keep trying. As reviewer Sue Lowell Gallion says, "Children (and parents!) experiencing the many firsts of growing up will relate to this lively story of a young robin learning to fly. Playful, rhyming text and winsome water color illustrations give readers a birds' eye view of he baby birds' emotions and adventures on its way to solo flight."

Genres: Picture Books, Birds, Storytime, Science, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2019

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A robin fledgling is about to leave the nest and fly for the very first time. It is not easy to try a new experience even if everybody tells you it will be great. The little bird has to let go of the nest, then a branch, then finds itself escaping a cat, only to realise that all the effort has paid off and flying is wonderfully exhilarating. I loved the watercolour artwork and the rhyming text, and the overall message of facing your fears in order to grow up.
The book is accompanied by STEM activities and resources for teachers and parents who would like to use this story in class or at home.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Dawn Publications for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As exciting as it might be, leaving the nest is never easy. This picture book shows just how challenging it can be for one little robin. The author uses rhyming text and carefully-chosen words to describe the fledgling's reluctance to fly. The bird watches as its siblings soar through the air, but it takes a push from its mother to get it into the air. Things don't go so well initially, and the bird falls into a bush and is about to become a nice snack for a cat since it is so helpless. But he manages to flap his wings in desperation and fly out of reach. There are questions about birds and flight and activities at the end of the book. I liked how this story was told as well as the beautifully rendered illustrations, some of which feature a close-up of the cat and others showing that bird struggling and then succeeding to get aloft. While the book would be useful for a science classroom or library, the little one's struggle also represents the struggles many of the rest of us face, often failing on our first attempts at something new. Thus, it would be a good choice for sharing aloud for either purpose--to inform or to entertain--and maybe even provide a bit of encouragement to listeners.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It had me at "But I'm so small, and there's so much sky". A rhyming tale about a bird fresh out of the nest and the many attempts to fly. The rhymes scan well, the colors and art are bright, a great size for sharing, and a story young children can relate to about try try and try again. Four pages of facts in the back further endeared (all nature books should have facts - and I appreciated the tip about keeping cats indoors to protect birds especially in the spring - absolutely, says this cat lover).

[Esutterlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by a teacher -- a combination of fictional story about a fledgling bird and nonfiction information is a rhyming picture book. At the back, the author/teacher has talking points that give context to the story, nesting, how old baby robins are when they leave the nest, and more. There are additional suggestions for reading the book aloud, fostering a growth mindset, and "STEM" activities based on this story.
Highly recommend.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story for highlighting continuing to try even when scared or unsure. Not my favorite for the topic, but still good. Illustrations are cute. I especially enjoyed the expressions for the bird. Little section where a cat almost gets the bird. Not a problem for my older child, but something to be aware of if you have a child who is sensitive to that.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This bird in the story makes a good point. Why should a bird walk to go somewhere? But when mother bird nudges him out of the nest he first needs to learn to fly and the illustrations are hilarious of the bird hanging on not sure he can fly. And it takes a big fluffy catalyst to get him flying. Fun read.

[Aileen Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gentle rhyming book about persistence with its beautiful illustrations is a wonderful book for kids four to eight. When a baby bird is nervous about flying, he realizes if he just keeps trying he can accompish what he sets out to do. And the fact or fiction pages in the back about birds are a great bonus for teachers who might want to incorporate this book into their science curriculum!

[Ellie Langford]

The illustrations drew me in. The little robin looked so precious and so vulnerable. I kept rooting for it to succeed. At the same time, I think we all have hesitated to try something we wanted to do before getting up the courage to do it. Ann was able to show kids it's natural to be a little scared of things we aren't quite sure we're ready to do.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story about a baby bird learning how to fly and facing her fears. I love how this rhymes beautifully and is perfect for storytimes. I came across this book while trying to find picture books that had watercolor illustrations.

[Megan Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

STEM book. A little bird attempts his first flight which as you can suspect takes some trail and error and above all perseverance. If first you don't succeed...
"Explore More" in the back of the book with a Fact or Fiction section for kids and resources and activities for parents and teachers.

[Dylan Coomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about a bird who isn’t settling for the their lot in life at the time and strives to be better. This book would be a powerful message to kids in order to make them want to strive and succeed, as well as go above and beyond in their life. A very positive book with a positive message.

[Elizabeth Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous little picture book about a robin who learns to fly, with a little nudge from his mom and some role modelling by his brother and sister. A simple story, lovingly narrated and beautifully illustrated. My preschooler son and I read this as a read-along e-book on the Libby app.

[Kirsti Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much fun!

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

eARC provided by Edelweiss. I thought this picture book had a lot of promise at first, but then it just started to drop for me. I hope the finished version has a better formatting than the ARC did.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great message in the story, has adult resources in the back on growth mindset and STEM activities.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a keeper! This book lends itself to be paired with a nonfiction text and STEM activities. The Explore More sections for children and teacher/parents provide ideas for extension and STEM.

[Christine Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book with lovely illustrations. There's also some extra information in the back of the book about birds.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A preschool and up book about a bird who wants to fly but isn't sure he is quit ready yet. Nice author's afterward with the comparison of the fictional story to real life bird movements.

[Annese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. I like the STEM activities listed within the end notes.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.