The 131 Preview Review Presents The Nest That Could Fly!

The 131 Preview Review Presents

        Okay, I know that my Title is less than stellar, and don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with Bill's work, I've just come to the conclusion that I don't have a taste for Children's Literature. So please forgive my mundane titling this week. *Caution Spoilers*

          The Nest That Could Fly! Is a 43 page full color picture book about a family of Robins, which follows them through the building of their nest, family and the subsequent accidental melding of their Baby Boy into their nest, but Mama bird is unconcerned, until the boy fly's off with the nest on his back.

       At this point all hell breaks loose, as the family tries to unhinge the nest from him. Finally he finds himself stuck on a basketball net and is freed. The family is happy to have Flappy back unharmed. When one of the daughters asks about the mangled nest Mama responds that the kids are on their own now and that she won't trust their father to build next years nest, opting instead to find an abandoned one next year.

            The illustrations are bright, cheerful, and cute. The writing is sound; and while appealing in it is colorful display the content may need to be lightly addressed by a parents hand in order to fully explain some the nuances to younger minds. You see my adult mind takes over the content leaving me with some questions which the more astute child would probably have as well.

          There are a few harsh realities addressed within the later pages and the subjects while glossed might be more productive if it were read from an understanding and nurturing voice in order to deal with real issues which may not have been purposely indicated within the book, but are there non the less.

       I mean the mother is unconcerned that their child is stuck inside the nest. (neglect) Leaving it to deal until it can just fly away. I understand that this was written for children, believe me I do, and that yes birds once out of the nest don't return to it, but there is a flippancy to the Mama birds “you’re on your own” remark. Some children will grasp this while others may not and thus here I would suggest a nurturing tone to the read a-long.

      

      For the child who is entertained by colorful pictures and the voices any good story reading parent would use, this is awesome.

         However, as I remember back to my own observational perception at such a young age, I'd be filled with all kinds of questions. It's this point of view that makes me believe that I should never review another Children's Book. As a non-parent, I feel I am not qualified to judge what children of today are being read, taught, or shown.

        All in all this is a book worth looking at with a parents eyes. Bill has a lot of other Great works, including coloring books and part of the proceeds for those works go to the P.T.A. to help ease the major budget cuts of the California School System, SO PLEASE Do go and check his work out. 

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