JACOB'S FANTASTIC FLIGHT

Young Jacob, uniquely able to fly, has a big adventure with birds on his way to join his parents on a Mediterranean vacation.

Jacob’s peculiarity is introduced with humor and warmth: His parents hoped their baby would start crawling, but “he just flew off instead.” The text then assures readers that the parents quickly overcame anxiety over Jacob’s difference, loving him because that is what parents do. The lightheartedness continues as the mother and father easily agree to let their child fly alone for their upcoming vacation while the parents fly by airplane. Jacob bonds with various animals during his solo flight, eventually joining a flock of 83 birds. When Hubert—one of those birds—is nabbed by “a notorious birdcatcher,” Jacob and the birds become partners in avian heroics. Extra fun: Children will enjoy counting 15 “cranky cows,” 31 “snacky squirrels,” and, of course, those 83 “birds on their way to Africa.” The translated text is full of understated humor and funny words, such as shenanigansand bamboozled. The comical cartoon art matches the high quality and whimsy of the text. There is a magical double-page spread that shows Jacob mostly submerged in a woodland pond and surrounded by many varieties of happy, celebrating birds. The story comes full circle as Jacob and a new companion reunite with Jacob’s parents. Jacob and his parents are White, probably middle-class Germans.

Highflying humor and heart.