Delightful and informative little book about how birds fly. Written in an engaging dialogue format and filled with great illustrations.

Great addition to any home library and would also make a wonderful gift to any little person that loves learning about birds!

In Fly Like a Bird, a baby chickadee who is not yet able to fly asks an adult chickadee, "what if I never learn to fly?" This question prompts a discussion between the two about many different types of birds and the special qualities of their flight (or in the case of penguins and emus, lack thereof.)

I have encountered many children's books about birds but this one is unique in a couple of ways. First, the question and answer/back-and-forth conversation style of this narrative would make it a great shared reading book, either in a story time context with two adult readers or as a shared adult-child reading experience. Second, Ptashnik's selection of birds is very well chosen and presents fascinating information about how each species has adapted and developed in truly remarkable ways.

The art in this book matches well with the subject matter; it is detailed enough to represent each bird accurately, while also feeling loose and free enough to match the theme of flight. I found the translation to be a smidge clunky, but that is a minor note! Overall, I would recommend this for any library collection.

At the start of this book we join a young bird in the tree. As the text and images weave together, the reader discovers there’s a conversation going through the whole book. A chickadee is wondering if he will ever be able to fly. The parent bird is answering the questions of the little bird, with all kind of bird examples.

From that point on every spread is the stage of another bird. And the chickadee keeps asking questions and pointing out special competences about sorts of birds.

This book is filled with marvelous watercolor illustrations and a natural color palette that matches the feathers of the birds and the sky. Olga Ptashnik created a feast for the eye.

Especially the movements of the birds are wonderfully captured on the page. It’s like there are birds dancing over the pages. What makes you excited for every next page.

This book is a joy for every curious reader, nature and bird lover.

Big thanks to Eerdmans books and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Netgalley ARC- 3.5 stars - the bird drawings are fantastic and I like the way the bird movements are shown. I don't love the conversational/first-person writing style, but that may just be me.

What does it mean to "fly like a bird?" It depends on what bird you are talking about! A hummingbird? A penguin? An ostrich? All have wings, but that's about all their "flying" has in common. In this simple but fascinating and cleverly structured book, a baby bird asks questions and receives replies about birds and flight. The illustrations are gorgeous, capturing the spirit of each bird. The writing is sweet, though I wish it read less like a book in translation.

How does a little bird learn to fly? This book will answer some of those questions about birds, wings, and flight. The illustrations are subdued but lovely, with different birds against a background of natural settings. Children and adults will enjoy the happy story as our little chickadee questions how he is going to learn to do what most birds do naturally. It turns out there is more than one way to fly, but only one way to learn; and that's to just jump. I'd recommend this to children and parents who enjoy nature stories and animal facts.

A small bird ponders the way it can fly by looking at other types of birds. I enjoyed the balance of the story of the small bird and the facts of the other types of birds. The illustrations were beautiful and visually represented the story. I wish there was more about the little bird, maybe about what type of flying it is going to try, but overall still a wonderful read.

There are sure to be future bird watchers and ornithologists who will trace their interest in birds to the beautiful picture book Fly Like a Bird by Olga Ptashnik. Perfect for parents to read to their children, while learning something themselves, this book is both delightful and informative. The story of a chickadee frustrated with learning to fly, and the parent explaining how flight is different for various birds. It is a book that young children can relate too as they begin to spread their own wings, pun intended.
The artwork is lovely and enhances the story beautifully. #FlyLikeaBird would make the perfect gift for the children of nature lovers, and those just discovering the wonders of nature. Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC.

Fly Like a Bird would make a great addition to a 1st or 2nd grade classroom. It is informative, and has details about several birds, but it is not too long. The illustrations are engaging and relevant to the text.

Thank you to Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. It will be published on 09/02/2025. Opinions expressed are my own.

Looking at this book as an educator, it is very valuable. The information about different types of birds is presented in a conversational way, which makes it an engaging book to read aloud to students. As for the illustrations, I appreciated the simplicity while still being detailed. The illustrator has a cozy art style that adds a lot of personality to the book. The questions at the beginning of the book are the perfect leading questions that bring the reader into the story. This will make it a dynamic book to read aloud in a classroom setting.

For reading level, this will easily be a 3rd or 4th level for accelerated reader.

Overall, I recommend this title for addition to school libraries and personal libraries.

***formatting for kindle needs to be fixed

Fly Like a Bird is a stunning children's book. Brimming with beautiful illustrations, the story starts: "What if I never learn to fly?" a baby chickadee asks. "You will when the time comes!" an adult answers. "Let me tell you about how our friends fly." Will the chick fly like a hummingbird--moving its wings at top speed and sipping nectar from flowers? Will it fly like an Andean condor--using air streams to soar through the mountains? Will it fly like a penguin--flapping its wings like fins underwater?

This book is a beautiful ode to birds, their uniqueness and the powers of their flight. As much as this is marketed as a children's book I think it will be loved by adults (especially birdwatchers!). I especially loved the page at the end with illustrations and fun facts about the different birds featured in the book!

Fly Like a Bird by Olga Ptashnik is a wonderfully colorful and engaging book for young readers. The story begins with a thought-provoking question: “What if I cannot fly?” This opens the door to an exploration of the many birds that can soar through the sky, sparking curiosity right from the start.

The language is simple and accessible, making it perfect for children just beginning to discover the natural world. The illustrations are vibrant and full of life, with a playful, sea-inspired vibe that complements the birds' journeys. Each page is filled with whimsical details that bring the animals and their habitats to life.

What makes this book stand out is its focus on unique and lesser-known birds, giving kids the chance to learn about species they might not usually encounter. Plus, the “More About Birds” section at the end is a fantastic bonus, offering additional fun facts that make the learning experience even more engaging.

This book is a perfect blend of education and fun, making it an ideal choice for parents and educators wanting to spark a love of nature in young minds. Highly recommended for young bird enthusiasts and those new to the world of birds!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for the opportunity to review this delightful book!

This such a sweet children’s book! 🐦 It explains how different birds fly in a way that’s both fun and easy to understand. Honestly, bird lovers will be thrilled—but even kids who aren’t super into birds will enjoy it!

It also carries a beautiful message: just like birds, we all have our own way to ‘fly,’ and that’s what makes us unique. 💛 Plus, the little bird catalog at the end with interesting facts is such a lovely bonus. Definitely a cute and thoughtful read.

This book provides information on a wide variety of birds in a creative narrative. People viewing the Big Bear Lake eagles will especially find this interesting since they're also learning to fly.

Thank you for the digital review copy.

Olga Ptashnik's Fly Like a Bird is a wonderful picture book about the many different types of birds, how they fly, their characteristics and more details! I did not know there could be so much to learn about birds and flying! I like how the text seems "interactive" and engaging. The facts are not overwhelming, and the gorgeous illustrations bring so much life to this book! Loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.