One day, Mel, a blue and orange bird, decides she’s ready to try flying. Her siblings are hesitant and ask her if she’s afraid. Mel says she’s afraid but isn’t going to let that stop her. Mel leaps from the nest, and falls. She falls and falls and falls—past other animals all afraid for her fate. And then—SPLASH! Mel lands in the water, catches a fish, and emerges! She flies up and up and up back to her nest and her mom’s encouraging words.

This is a fun book about perspective and confidence. The colored pencil and acrylic paint illustrations are full of motion and emotion and really keep the reader engaged. The only downfall is that the book is a little difficult to read aloud as it begins in one orientation and flips to another midway through the book. There is an author’s note at the end about kingfishers and how they catch fish. Recommended for fans of humorous fiction and books with animals as the center. Recommended for readers 3 and up and for Cream of the Crop.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME