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CALVIN CAN'T FLY by Jennifer Berne Kirkus Star

CALVIN CAN'T FLY

The Story of a Bookworm Birdie

by Jennifer Berne & illustrated by Keith Bendis

Pub Date: Sept. 1st, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4027-7323-5
Publisher: Sterling

The irresistible story of a proud bookworm will put smiles on the faces of readers of all ages. Calvin is a young starling with a huge family. While his brothers, sisters and 67,432 cousins are off discovering nature and learning to fly, Calvin is content to keep his beak in a good book—books will take him places his wings never could, after all. When the season changes and it is time to migrate, Calvin realizes he was too busy learning...to learn how to fly! His loving family find a way to bring him along, but they run into treacherous weather along their journey. Luckily, Calvin has read just what to do and saves his entire flock. The illustrations are wildly original and full of funny details (check out the highly technical flight classes and the cows' lipstick). With their stick legs, flat heads and fluffy hair(s), the starlings are endearingly comical. Between its heartwarming (but never treacly) story and quirky illustrations, this tale should be a staple among book-loving families as well as in libraries and elementary classrooms for years to come. (Picture book. 4-8)