Review Detail

Little Earnest and his siblings are learning to fly. While his siblings quickly take to the air, Earnest struggles to find his wings. When danger comes, he discovers the power inside himself and the strength of his family's love.

Earnest and the sandpiper family are very cute. I love the oil paint texture of the illustrations, which combine charming, cartoon-like expressions with dramatic landscapes that capture the wild beauty and danger of the sea. It reminds me of both modern and classical art.

This is a story about believing in yourself, but also the importance of being good stewards of nature and thinking about the little creatures who share the world with us. Some readers may question if little birds really do learn to fly because of a warm, magical feeling inside, and well, real life might have more science than that, but a little confidence has to be part of it.

A perfect read for lovers of birds and critters and stories with heart.