Flora isn’t having the best day.
In Flora’s Very Windy Day (Clarion, 2011) her little brother, Crispin, spills her paints, so their mother sends them outside to play while she cleans up even though Flora tries and tries to tell her the wind will blow them away.
Sure enough, once they’re outside, the wind lifts Crispin away and Flora has no choice except to soar up after him. He might be annoying, but he is her brother after all.
Once they’re in the air, Flora is amazed at how popular Crispin is. A dragonfly wants him to polish its wings. A sparrow wants him to sit on her eggs, a rainbow wants him to guard its gold and a cloud wants him to squeeze out its raindrops. And, the man in the moon just wants him to be his friend.
Flora is slightly tempted, of course, but she knows how disappointed her mother would be if she came home without Crispin. But to get them home, she has to convince the wind to help them out.
Is she successful? Let’s see what today’s guest reviewer has to say:
Our reviewer: Kelsie
Age: 7
I like: Playing four-square, jumping rope, playing kickball and drawing.
This book was about: A girl named Flora who didn’t like her baby brother at first. But after they get blown away by the wind, and the moon and the rainbow asked if they could have him, she decieded she liked her brother after all.
The best part was when: When Flora and her brother got back home.
I smiled when: At the end, when she asked the wind if she could go home with her brother.
I was worried when: Her brother got blown up in the air.
I was surprised when: She decided she wanted to keep her brother.
My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “If the wind lets you.” And, “super-special, heavy-duty red boots.”
This book taught me: Before you say something, you should think about it first. It might not be what you really want to say.
Other kids reading this book should watch for: When Flora brushes a shred of rainbow off her clothes.
You should read this book because: It teaches you that just because you think you want something, you might not really want it.
Thanks, Kelsie!
Kelsie doesn’t have a younger brother, but she has an older sister. And she wasn’t completely positive her older sister would save her if the wind decided to blow her away.
If you’d like to learn more about author Jeanne Birdsall, who is best known for her series of books about the Penderwick sisters, visit her website. Or, read this interview.
If you’d like to learn more about illustrator Matt Phelan, visit his website and blog. Or, read this kid review of another one of his many books — Two of a Kind.
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