Earnest Sandpiper's great ascent

In this heartfelt story about overcoming fear, two young sandpipers, coached by their parents ("BREATHE... TRY... JUMP... FLY!"), take off, legs trailing, into a rose-tinted sky. But their sibling Earnest balks and peers over the dune's edge. "I think my feathers are too heavy for me," he tells his mother. With a wing tip, Mom draws a heart in the sand, promising that "soon your heart will glow like the morning clouds. It will shine with desire and belief," a feeling that will presage "magical things." After his family departs to explore, Earnest pursues a floating yellow balloon with a red heart decoration "like the one my mom drew"--and he finds himself tangled up in its red ribbon tail, stuck as the tide comes in. Returning just in time, his family's love unlocks both the glow Mom spoke of and the bird's belief in himself. Naturalistic paintings by Ering (Walrus Song) portray Earnest's anxious expression as he wrestles with the shiny, artificial object, so different from sand and sky. The stray balloon, an afterword explains, poses dangers to wildlife, giving this story a double theme of belief in oneself and care for the environment. Ages 3--7. (Apr.)

A young bird discovers that it takes persistence and confidence to accomplish one's goals. Today, the Sandpiper children will learn to fly. Two of them are ready; the third, Earnest, isn't. Earnest's siblings fly like pros immediately. But Earnest holds back. Fortunately, his parents and siblings are patient. They offer Earnest guidance and reassurance but don't force the issue. The rest of the family flies down the beach on a practice run, leaving Earnest alone. He makes a flying attempt but fails. Soon he spots a free-flying balloon and follows it into the water. Alas, one of Earnest's legs becomes tightly entangled in its dangling red ribbon, which itself becomes entwined around a log. The tide's rising, and Earnest's cries for help go unanswered until…the sight of his returning family finally arouses sufficient belief in himself that he feels ready to fly. Earnest flaps his wings hard, which snaps the tangled ribbon, thus freeing him to take glorious flight, to the cheers of his proud family--and of readers, who'll have been rooting for Earnest all along. This reassuring story is about bolstering self-esteem and doing things at one's own pace; would that everyone were surrounded by the encouraging support and love Earnest enjoys. The colorful charcoal, ink, and acrylic illustrations are cheerful and expressive. An author's note offers more information on the dangers balloons pose to wildlife. The empowering message here: It's OK to take your own sweet time, so just believe in yourself. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.