First published 1986
A curious child looks up at birds gliding effortlessly overhead and wonders why people stay stuck on the ground. The question grows bigger in their mind as they watch airplanes zoom past and butterflies dance in the air. Everyone around them can walk and run and jump, but nobody can simply spread their arms and take flight. The child tries different ways to solve this puzzle, asking adults and experimenting with their own ideas about getting airborne. Each attempt teaches them something new about the world and how it works. Through this simple but persistent question, the child discovers important truths about what makes humans special, even without wings. The story captures that universal childhood wish to fly and transforms it into a gentle exploration of acceptance and wonder.
Genres: fiction, contemporary, picture-books
Vibes: emotional, gentle, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, wonder
Library Binding · Bt Bound