“A bird who’s afraid to fly is like a fish afraid of the water!”
What are you afraid of?
Sam is afraid to fly.
Being a bird makes this awkward.
His parents don’t understand.
His brothers and sisters don’t understand.
Sam himself doesn’t understand.
He wants to bob with the bats and flit with the fireflies and soar with the starlings.
But he can’t even look over the edge of his nest.
What to do when fear stops you from living?
“A bird who’s afraid to fly is like a fish afraid of the water!”
What are you afraid of?
Sam is afraid to fly.
Being a bird makes this awkward.
His parents don’t understand.
His brothers and sisters don’t understand.
Sam himself doesn’t understand.
He wants to bob with the bats and flit with the fireflies and soar with the starlings.
But he can’t even look over the edge of his nest.
What to do when fear stops you from living?
Fear is an easy word to spell but not so easy to overcome. So, what happens when fear interferes with achieving one's dreams? That is the dilemma Sam's facing in The Bird Who Was Afraid to Fly. Sam, the sweet sparrow, loved to hear his father's tales about birds that could soar through the clouds to those who couldn't fly, and birds that could even swim. Sam sat captivated, listening to his dad speak about the countryside, where the night sky is lit up by stars, too many to count, and the quietness. Sam's dad, Marcello, said it was so quiet you could hear the seeds grow. Sam couldn't imagine such peace when his home at the Piazza del Campo, a plaza in the center of Siena, was always so full of activity. Sam recalled one bustling day when the Palio, a famous horse race dating back centuries, awoke him from his slumbers. As you gaze upon the colorful drawing, you can practically hear the crowd cheering and the hooves pounding the ground as the racers round a corner. Oh, I bet it's an exhilarating sight to behold in person! That excitement aside, Sam still had a mind-over-matter situation to overcome: He was still a bird who was too afraid to fly.
Do you suffer from panic or anxiety attacks? If so, you'll empathize with Sam's reaction to stepping out of his comfort zone. Many readers might even find the cute sparrow's siblings' reaction to his flying dilemma too close to home. Sam's story and his family's reactions to his fears mark an excellent opportunity to discuss what fears your child, family, or class face and how one might overcome them. It also allows listeners to voice their thoughts about proper or improper reactions to a friend or family member's fear. Let's encourage all readers to support and help each other squash those fears!
Though Sam's family didn't initially respond to his predicament in a positive manner, they did (eventually) give him the push he needed to beat his fear! Time, patience, and a nudge in the right direction helped Sam achieve his goal of soaring over the countryside and flying with the winged animals and insects he only heard about. His journey illustrates the importance of never giving up on one's dreams and the value of asking for help.
The Bird Who Was Afraid to Fly is listed for children seven years and up. Some younger readers might stumble over the meaning of word groupings, such as dappled vineyards and iolite lakes. I advise adults to read the story with their kids the first time, ensuring they understand each word used. An adult can also simplify the text or summarize the pages to share it with preschoolers through first graders, making this a charming storybook to enjoy over several years!
The Bird Who Was Afraid to Fly is a wonderfully illustrated children's book and a true delight. It showed the author's love of Italy's beautiful landscape, wildlife, and traditions. Join Sam as he finds his inner courage and takes flight, seeing wonders he's only heard about. Maybe make it your dream to take flight and see all the wondrous sights and sounds Italy offers as well.