Fletcher and the Fledgling
February 1, 2020
'Fletcher and the Fledgling' is a story about a little boy, Fletcher, who is thrilled to be finally riding his bicycle without training wheels. As his family gathers around, they notice that the neighborhood crows are awfully excited too. Although Fletcher is ready for his big ride, his parents must first ensure that everything is safe. A large crow family nearby appears to be doing much the same for their own fledgling. Fletcher is overjoyed as he realizes he's soaring all by himself--a sensation that seems to be shared by a baby crow floating over his head. 'Fletcher and the Fledgling' provides readers a glimpse of how family love, support and protectiveness transcend the human species to include those most glorious and brilliant creatures we call 'crows.'
(Printed in US, UK or AU)
"An uplifting tale of triumph likely to encourage struggling young bicyclists to take off soaring."
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"This slice-of-life story is told simply in a down- to-earth fashion that focuses tightly on Fletcher’s excitement at accomplishing a rite of passage. While psychologist Lonczak acknowledges the boy’s worries ('The bike felt wobbly at first, and Fletcher was a little scared'), the tale puts heavy weight on the support of his relatives and the subtle parallel between their presence and the protectiveness of the crow’s parents. Dimitrovska’s vibrant oil-pastel illustrations are softly lined, sometimes creating an indistinct feel at the borders of people and backgrounds, making details slightly hazy. But the choice of colors for Fletcher’s helmet, eyes, bike, and clothing emphasizes the feeling of flight. In his moment of victory, the boy almost appears to be part of the sky."
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Kirkus Review
The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued