Fly!

January 19, 2015
In his debut, Edwards lets his artwork do most of the storytelling. Fly, his bean-size hero, has a pair of petite wings, two pairs of arms (because he’s an insect), and wide, wondering yellow eyes. Fly needs help to work out what, exactly, he’s supposed to be doing as an insect, and his friends are happy to oblige. The giggles come in spreads that scroll from left to right, all at the same, bug’s-eye level, as Fly tries to mimic his peers. He waves his legs in the air as he attempts to roll up like a pill bug, chomps doubtfully on leaves like a caterpillar, and collapses when he tries to dig like a beetle. In a sweetly understated triumphal sequence, Fly discovers that he can, in fact, fly. The text is no more than a dozen or so action verbs (“Wiggle! Wiggle? Jump! Jump! Jump?”), a draw for beginning readers. An afterword identifies Fly’s companions and supplies a more detailed, traditional portrait of each one. The story could be an allegory for a turn toward a new career—fly, Mr. Edwards! Ages 2–5.

January 1, 2015
A young fly struggles to find his special talent.Worm can wiggle. Fly tries to wiggle, but it just doesn't look the same. Grasshopper can jump! Fly strains to jump, but his tiny feet barely make it off the ground. Poor Fly. He just can't figure out what he is good at. From the title page, on which Fly is posed Thinker-like looking at his wings and pondering their existence, Fly's determination is set. He goes from one garden friend to the next, trying to mimic their actions to see if he can do them too. Can he roll like the pill bug? Or march like the ants? No. It's not until he sees Butterfly fluttering and Dragonfly flitting that he finally realizes his own special talent. He can...fly! In fewer than 20 words (action words, no less, with the exception of a single "Yes!"), Edwards pieces together a story of grand willpower and discovery. Fly is adorably earnest, with wide-set bulging eyes and six stubby legs that flail about in consternation. Setting his action against a clean, white background and drawing it in thick black outlines, Edwards shows how effective simplicity can be. Toddlers will cheer this tale of exploration while simultaneously jumping to their feet to try every action, right along with Fly. (appended bug facts) (Picture book. 2-5)

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February 1, 2015

PreS-A tiny fly imitates his insect friends before finding his own unique abilities. Worm can "WIGGLE!" with aplomb, but Fly's tentative "wiggle?" attempt falls flat. A row of ants "MARCH! MARCH! MARCH!" with military precision, but Fly is out of step and facing the wrong direction. While gazing at bees, butterflies, and dragonflies, Fly is inspired to flap his own wings and triumphantly realizes he can "Yes! Fly!" Edwards's colorful, digitally created cartoon illustrations humorously capture the little bug's wide-eyed trepidation as he tries to shimmy and swing like a spider and his clenched-jaw determination as he tries to jump like a grasshopper. VERDICT The spare text, comprised entirely of action words, will have toddlers buzzing with excitement.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

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