The Wonderful Life of a Fly Who Couldn't Fly

Fantastic Book! I read it to my 6 year old and she said that it made her think that "Happiness Can Be Your Wings".

This book does an excellent job of addressing diverse abilities. It works on taking the focus off of a 'label' or internal issue, and placing the focus on enjoying life and respecting (and celebrating) diversity of experiences. For students with disabilities, it provides a representation and topic that may be reflective of themselves. There are few books that accurately portray/represent disability in a neutral or positive way (without pity). For non-disabled students, it neutrally showcases diverse abilities and valuing diverse experiences. With the right discussion, this book can lend a helpful start to diversity awareness/multiculturalism (as disability in the framework of diversity and culture). I do pose to my students to rethink the ending and ask them what the outcome would have been if they wrote it-it's a very interesting springboard for a social construct or diversity discussion. This book can provide interest for all ages. Students also enjoy the illustrations because they are engaging and pleasant. I am using this book with my JH age students with developmental disabilities--they LOVE it.

I feel it was a true honor to have the author of this book, Bo Lozoff, personally give me a copy. This happened when I visited him at his beautiful farm in North Carolina that he -- with extraordinary courage -- has for years invited those who have just left prison to stay at, and even become a part of his extended, remarkably family there. Bo, as many know, is an old buddy of Ram Dass; they shared/started this "extensive prison work," which adventually got Bo and his wife Sita invited (by the Dali Lama) to India to have a private audience with him. The Dali Lama wanted to meet and honor this man -- Bo. But about this book: I think angels must have wired Bo one night, hooked him up to some beautiful voltage; that is, planted all these words in him about this sweet, brave fly, who in many ways any sincere seeker of love and beauty and God can so identify with. Bravery, that is becoming such a need these days.This wonderful fly will help us.Thanks Bo for all you are doing for the world,Daniel LadinskyBest-selling Penguin author/translator of some of history's greatest poet-saints

The Wonderful Life of a Fly Who Couldn't Fly is a real gem of a book --- for children of any age! As a long-time pre-school teacher, I love books that rhyme. They're so much fun to read aloud, and kids enjoy finishing the lines, which makes them feel like they're reading. Books that rhyme have become quite rare, but now we have "Fly" to fill the gap. As the parent of a child with disabilities, I look for books that have a strong, positive message about the contributions that a person with disabilities can make, rather than a needy, fearful image that emphasizes tragedy or medical problems. Also, many books for children with disabilities in the past have had terrible illustrations. "Fly" definitely rises to the top on those two counts. Finally, as a human being I look for books which have a timeless spiritual message. I'm sure when you read "Fly", and think of giving it as a gift, you'll remember its beautiful ending again and again.

A great book. Not sappy or corny. It doesn't hit you over the head with a moral. But it's there nonetheless: Focus on our strengths instead of our shortcomings. I've read it to my children over and over. They love it.