Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Are big dreams heavenly? If you're a bear named Ursa they are. Named for a famous constellation, she is a little, square-headed bear with big ideas: she dreams of flying. While star lovers will recognize Ursa's name, all children will recognize her as a dreamer which, yes, sometimes makes her an object of ridicule. Luckily her little brother is also a believer (see his T-shirt) and helps make her dreams a reality. Marcero's background illustrations have minimal details: buildings are blocks with squares for windows, a park is a blob of green, dandelions are white circles. Instead, she highlights her numerous characters (even those who are only faces in wall portraits), whose expressive eyes and detailed wardrobes hold a reader's attention. Ursa is always front and center, trying to unmask the secret of flight (while wearing flying goggles) by observing and experimenting, a consummate scientist. Ultimately, she channels all she has learned into one final, glorious success. Ursa's observations and scientific approach make this a natural fit for the STEM curriculum, and the eye-grabbing illustrations, with their preponderance of black, make it a visual standout. Pair with The Most Magnificent Thing (2014) by Ashley Spires for another tale of an undaunted scientist.--Ching, Edie Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Ursa, a city-dwelling bear, lives life to the max. While her classmates fold rudimentary paper airplanes, she designs an airship with turrets. When they study the solar system, she dons a homemade solar system costume (with herself as the sun, naturally). In her bedroom one night she has a vision: "I am going to fly!" Inspired by pigeons, dandelion seeds, and bats (her notebook sketches are included), Ursa tries to launch ambitious flying contraptions, but they all fail. An audition for a role as a shooting star gives Ursa another chance, and her performance is, of course, a triumph: "She channeled the strength of the pigeon, the lightness of the dandelion seed, the agility of the bat, and a huge internal roar." Marcero's (the Backyard Witch series) urban setting and somber palette of grays, rusts, and olives counterbalance the story's more cloying moments, as do moments of quiet humor. Night scenes draw a parallel between Ursa and the constellation that bears her name. A gentle prod toward following one's dreams, even after embarrassing failures. Ages 4-8. Agent: Danielle Smith, Red Fox Literary. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Ursa isn't like other bears. While her peers play aimlessly in the schoolyard, Ursa is busy dreaming new dreams. Ever the optimist, she decides that anything is possible. She needs a new goal. But what will it be? After dreaming of it all night, Ursa wakes up with an exciting, courageous plan: she will learn to fly! Despite warnings from her doubtful friends and family, Ursa takes lessons from birds, rockets, and bats, poring over her notes and trying again and again to make her trip into the sky a success. After multiple setbacks, she begins to question her goal...until her brother spots an audition advertisement to be a shooting star in The Cosmos, a local play. When her nerves almost get the best of her at the audition, she channels her positive energy, takes a leap of faith, and, naturally, gets the part. Ursa is the brightest star of all, and her spirit shines brilliantly as she steals the show! This impressive debut picture book features whimsical, doodlelike illustrations that perfectly complement this tender tale. Appropriate pacing makes this an ideal choice for storytime. VERDICT All future stars and their caregivers will want to share this story as they scheme and dream together.-Natalie Braham, Denver Public Library © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
What makes young bear Ursa different from her peers? Her imagination, which leads her to believe that she can learn to fly. Although various methods fail her, she ultimately finds a way to soar. The story is further elevated by multifaceted art that features diagrams, background cityscapes, and Ursa's little brother's rotation of T-shirts with encouraging sayings ("Fly," "Believe," etc.). (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
