Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A boy discovers the potential of reading in this lushly illustrated story from Spanish author-artist Bonilla. Lucas dreams of flying but his own inventions can't get him off the ground, and Santa Claus and birthday wishes aren't any help. "There are other ways to fly, Lucas," his mother tells him, handing him a book. Most readers will get the message then and there, but it takes much longer for Lucas to figure it out. Instead, he dives into reading with a passion previously reserved for flying as he reads book after book, ignoring the outside world entirely while sitting on an ever-growing pile of books that attracts media and tourist attention. Though Lucas's eventual realization that "Even though he couldn't fly, his imagination could" is far from unique to this story, Bonilla's irreverent mixed-media images leave no question about her artistic talents. Visual homages to The Little Prince and The Jungle Book, as well as details like a roasted turkey sent up to Lucas via helium balloon, give children plenty of reasons to pore over this book, and maybe follow Lucas's example and seek out other ones, too. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Lucas yearns to fly, but winged inventions and pleas to Santa continue to fail him. Wisely, his mother hands him a book and says, "There are other ways to fly, Lucas." After reading his first book, he is so amazed that he picks up another and another. He parks himself atop them and asks for more. As the stack grows precariously skyward, gap-toothed Lucas becomes oblivious to movements around him. Bonilla's humorous and whimsical paintings, which intersperse everyday scenes with fanciful ones, are captivating and colorful. Perceptive readers will recognize elements from several classic tales represented in the art and can extend the story by discussing the illustrations. VERDICT This tale about the joys of reading and imagination is a worthwhile addition to most collections, perfect for one-on-one and small group sharing.-Gaye Hinchliff, King County Library System, WA © 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
Lucas longs to fly with wings until his mother offers him a book, saying, "there are other ways to fly." This well-intentioned ode to imagination is fairly unimaginative itself; Lucas only understands her meaning after obsessively reading (and sitting upon) a lofty tower of books. But readers will likely enjoy this Spanish import's illustrations of Lucas atop his bookish mountain. (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.
