Dusty’s sister and brothers have already hatched when he begins his journey from the quivering egg laying in the snug little nest. Dusty and his family are seagulls. Seagulls fly. Dusty is afraid of flying. And therein lies the dilemma. Dusty wants to fit in with his family and the other seagulls. When Mama and Papa push the other little seagulls from the nest they each begin to soar and glide. Dusty can only stare in terror. At last Papa does the only thing possible. He and Mama must destroy the nest to force Dusty to try life on his own. Life on his own is filled with worry, excitement, and a little girl seagull named Jill.

Writer Wickstrom has crafted a moving work in The Seagull Who Was Afraid To Fly. Reminiscent of Jonathan Livingston Seagull little Dusty and his family are presented in believable manner. The little seagulls wonder what it must be like to walk on clouds, and they fuss ‘she’s/he’s touching me as children the world over no doubt do. Wickstrom has filled his tale with fanciful characters sure to bring a smile to the lips of the reader. Phred the toad, Elvis a Harp Seal, crabs Flim and Flam all are fun to read.

The tale of the little seagull who faces adversity and beats it back is one sure to please older children and adults alike. Reader interest is piqued from the opening lines as we wait for the little bird to emerge from his egg. Attention is maintained in this fast paced tale filled with enough detail to cause the reader to feel the spray on his face and taste the salt of the sea while reading the words.

Writer Wickstrom draws the reader into the tale and holds interest fast with a variety of situations and characters all leading to Dusty’s ultimate success. The parents trepidation for forcing their hesitant offspring out into the world is shared by their human counterpart. The trepidation felt by the little bird for having to go out into that big scary world is something most youngsters admit to at one time or another.

The Seagull Who Was Afraid To Fly is a book for the home and school library as well as proving useful to counselors working with children. Older kids will read and enjoy the tale. Adults may find the work an added tool as they address some of the problems facing their own offspring.

Nice read for a quiet afternoon. Happy to recommend.

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Reviewed by: Molly's Reviews              molly martin

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