Fledgling

I tend to choose my books from the library mainly based on the strength of the illustrations and only casually flip through the text, checking that the message of the book isn't one I find offensive. I save the really juicy task of reading the books cover to cover for when I get home. This book, both during the flip-through and the first reading alone, didn't really appeal -- but I found when I went to share it with my daughter that in reading aloud this story comes alive! There are only a few words on each page but, since the text is the thoughts inside Fledgling's head as she ventures out into the city on her own, flying for the first time, you really feel that you are taking the flight alongside her. The urban scenery is detailed and realistic although my daughter, never having been on the subway, missed most of the action when the inhabitants of the subway car frantically try to shoo away the confused and frightened bird. The story also has a reassuring message; when Fledgling realizes she doesn't know where home is, she hears the sound of her family calling her and returns safely. This is a fantastic book for any nature lover, or to teach your child about some of the wildlife that has made our cities their home.

Fledgling witnesses a falcon's first flight from its rooftop home in Brooklyn. Not only must the fledgling overcome its fear of flying but once airborne it is chased by a hawk. In escaping the hawk the fledgling takes the reader on a bird's-eye tour of the city from the subway to the rooftops. We enjoy an exhilarating ride and vicarious pride in the fledgling's courage and skill. The realistic watercolors bring Brooklyn to life and give immediacy to the dangers of urban life for wild creatures. For children from three to six.

When you hear the word, "watercolors", you may immediately think of soft dreamy landscapes and lovely vistas. "Watercolors", the word, does not conjure up vibrant images and exciting chase sequences. And yet that is exactly what you will find in Robert Blake's visually astounding, "Fledgling". A simple tale about the day in the life of a young bird, the illustrations in this book are topsy-turvy twistings of perspective and distance. It can single-handedly change how you feel about the art of watercolors. Even before you reach the book's title page you see a single page displaying three tentative birdies. Says the text, "Today is the day we are all going to fly". And there you have it. A single kestral (a member of the falcon family that may live in metropolitan areas) is about to learn how to fly. At first the bird is tentative and resorts merely to gliding. Subsequently, however, it's figured out the logistics of good flying. And not a minute too soon. Appearing out of the upper left corner dive a pair of sharp speedy claws. The rest of the book consists of the kestral trying frantically to escape from a hungry hawk. Through the roller coasters of Coney Island! Into the subway car of the D train! Up and up and away they fly, until the kestral is free but lost. Fortunately a friendly cry from its family leads our hero home. Happy and safe. This is one of those cases where the story is fine but you've undoubtedly seen it one hundred times before. It's the pictures that let it stand out. In his note at the back of the book, Blake explains how he was inspired to create this story. He describes the pains he took to draw falcons, "in every conceivable position". The result is a book that clearly reflects his efforts. Our hero spreads his beautifully spotted wings amid the streets of modern day Brooklyn. Every stripe and feather is in place on this magnificently rendered animal. Blake, having mastered the bird itself, then shifts the viewer's perspective. One minute you're looking up at the kestral from below as it flies by an intricately designed ferris wheel. The next minute you're looking down on it as it searches the city streets for its family. The twisting images and skewed scenes are mesmerizing. Best of all, Blake includes some fabulous details with his story. Be sure to notice the dogs that break away from their walkers to follows the two birds into the subway's depths. I could go on all day about these pictures. I could mention how well Blake uses light and shadow, or how perfectly the buildings bend within the pages. I could point out the advantage of a blue headed hero (especially when he's poised against a metropolitan background) or the fine-lined illustrations that make every picture interesting. Heck, the book's even occasionally broken up into three or four separate columns, according to the needs of the text. I'm disheartened by the fact that "Fledgling" did not garner its own Caldecott Honor, l

Fledging is a beautifully illustrated book with the main character being a kestrel, a small falcon. This is fledging's first day of flight. He has an exciting flight through the canyons of Manhattan, to a Coney Island roller coaster to a being in a subway car. This delightful book is ideal for the pre-school and kindergarten set. Robert Blake's books are exciting because he never illustrates his books just in one style or medium. He paints with earth tones water colors in this book and soft watercolors in The Perfect Spot and wintry oils in Akiak.