My Dad's a Birdman

In My Dad's a Birdman, author David Almond's first book for young readers, we meet a young girl named Lizzie whose very eccentric father is building wings so that he can fly like a bird. Everyone, including Lizzie's dumpling-obsessed Aunt Doreen, is sure that Lizzie's father is off his rocker is will only get himself and Lizzie into trouble or even seriously hurt. Lizzie, however, ultimately joins her father on his quest to enter the Great Human Bird Competition and discover a way to make his dreams really take flight.

The wacky characterizations are very reminiscent of Roald Dahl's writing, while the bright illustrations by Polly Dunbar remind us of Quentin Blake. Readers will realize that while Aunt Doreen may be logically correct - that flying is best left to the birds - in the end it is really more important that Lizzie and her dad try their best. After all:

"It doesn't matter if we fly of if we fall. We've got each other. We're doing it together. That's all that matters."

Overall Grade: B