Flying Lessons

March 15, 2006
Gr. 3-5. In this third book in the Owly series, Owly and Wormy are eager to make friends with their new neighbor, a flying squirrel. Unfortunately, flying squirrels are afraid of owls. Wormy tries to convince the squirrel that Owly is kind and gentle, but the squirrel is doubtful; it likes Wormy immensely, however, and takes him flying at night. When morning comes and the squirrel goes to sleep, Wormy is stuck in a tree, and Owly, who failed his childhood flying lessons, doesn't know what to do. When Wormy jumps and is hurt, the squirrel saves his new friend and, seeing Owly's genuine concern for Wormy, reconsiders his fear of owls and offers to teach Owly to fly. Runton hits the mark again with this charming tale of confronting and overcoming fears. His expressive, animated black-and-white art breathes life into the lovable characters in a way that will appeal to readers both younger and older than the target age group. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)