Flying Lessons

by Gilbert Ford

The doves flock together, nest together, and sing together. In the winter they travel south, in the spring they return north. Then one day a new bird flies on the scene. A big, noisy bird with twin engines and lots of legroom. The strange new bird ruffles the flock's feathers. But even as the doves turn their backs on him, their unwelcome companion makes himself quite useful. He might even teach them a new way to fly. . . .

Gilbert Ford's debut picture book combines the right amount of silliness with a heartwarming message about finding one's place in the world.

Genres: Picture Books, Birds, Childrens, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 16, 2010

About the author

Gilbert Ford grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, and moved to New York to attend Pratt Institute. After graduating, he worked as a designer and illustrator for a giftware company, creating puzzles, games, stickers, stationery, and activity books for children, before setting out on his own in 2007.  He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.  His toys have won several Openheimer awards, and his illustrations have been recognized by Communication Arts, 3 x 3, American Illustration Chosen, The Society of Illustrators, and The Society of Publication Designers. He is the author and illustrator of his first picture book published by Disney/Hyperion, entitled FLYING LESSONS that hit the shelves in Spring, 2010. He is also the illustrator of the popular Pseudonymous Bosch Secret Series published by Little, Brown, and Baby’s Favorite Rhymes to Sign published by Three Rivers Press/Random House.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gilbert Ford's debut picture book is a visual delight. His illustrative style--now recognizable from the Pseudonymous Bosch books--presents a skies from deep jades to dusty pinks filled with music, snowflakes and stars. The story will literally take you away, but don't worry, because the illustrations will bring you back.

[Kylee Champlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flying lessons is about a flock of birds and an airplane that looks like a bird. The plane and the birds become friends and shortly the birds decide the plane is not the right fit for them. That is, until they are too cold to fly south for the winter. With the help of the plane, the birds are able to go south and they all become friends once again.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flying Lessons is possibly the most wonderful picture book ever. I’ve been eager to see more of Gilbert Ford’s amazing illustrations after reading Pseudonymous Bosch’s Secret Series books, and I was ecstatic to finally read Flying Lessons. The illustrations were charmingly beautiful, and showcased Ford’s talent magnificently.

As for the actual story, it definitely lived up to the illustrations. I was pleasantly surprised how thematically strong it was (which sounds like a strange thing to say about a book geared towards children between the ages of three and seven, I know). It highlighted the importance of appreciating everyone’s true potential, and seeing things from a different perspective.

Overall, Flying Lessons was a marvelous book.

[Nielson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This flock of doves has their daily routine down to a T. They know just how they like everything so when a newcomer tries to join the flock, their feathers get a bit ruffled. Despite their obvious differences, an early arctic chill forces the doves to learn a new way to fly. Cute and unique story with a message that everyone can benefit from. The illustrations are fantastic, using dusty and dark hues of pink and blue.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute story with beautiful illustrations, and the pictures and text together are quite funny.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

You could use this book with a story time about birds, airplanes and/or friendhsip. Interesting illustrations.