This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
At 5 Minutes for Books, we are proud to feature books across many genres for children and adults. But this week has been all about highlighting children’s picture books.
We have been thrilled to feature some wonderful offerings, and have many giveaways that are open through 10/1. Read the anchor post to find all of the Fall Festival of Children’s Books reviews and see how you can get involved with linking up your own reviews as well.
Here’s our latest review from Dawn, with a special giveaway right here for you at 5 Minutes for Mom:
Picture books have a two-part job to do: entertain children as well as the adult reading to them. Some go above and beyond that calling by creating a story that charms the adult so much that she is the one pulling it off the bookshelf again and again. With Calvin Can’t Fly: The Story of a Bookworm Birdie, Jennifer Berne has created just that book, and I’m a huge fan.
When Calvin is born, one starling among his several brothers and sisters (along with thousands of cousins!), he quickly discovers his greatest interest. It’s not worms or dirt or water like the other birds, but is, quite uniquely, books. His interest is so great in fact, that he opts out of the typical starling activities such as flying lessons, to instead spend time at the convenient little library in the base of a nearby tree. After teaching himself to read, he flies through books on all sorts of subjects (pun dorkily intended), finding heaps of information and wonder. Unfortunately, he suffers some name-calling from his cousins, including bookworm, which is apparently quite a horrible thing to call a bird!
When the summer season begins to fade into autumn, the other starlings begin to prepare to move on, warning Calvin that he quickly needs to learn to fly so he can join them. This leads to my favorite line in the entire book, spoken in the true bibliophile’s voice of Calvin: “Ah yes, migration. I’ve read about that.”
What will happen to Calvin when the flock migrates? I urge you to get your wings hands on a copy of Calvin Can’t Fly: The Story of a Bookworm Birdie to find out. Book lover parents and children will delight in this warmly told story about differences and challenges, adorably illustrated by Keith Bendis.
In conjunction with our Fall Festival of Children’s Books, we’re happy to offer a giveaway of Calvin Can’t Fly: The Story of a Bookworm Birdie.
Leave a comment here to be entered, U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only, please. Another copy will be included in our Grand Prize package as well! Winners will be announced on October 2 over at 5 Minutes for Books.
Book Blogger Dawn and her entire crew are most definitely “nerdy birdies” and “bookworms.” And darn proud of it! Their tales are told at my thoughts exactly.
Steph says
Looks like a book both my kids would enjoy. Love the illustrations.
melissa n says
sounds like a cut e book!
Agatha Brown says
So tenderly done. I have kids at school who are so much like Calvin. The risk being left by the bus, missing lunch, phyiscal ed., just so they can finish their book.
Vickie Couturier says
My grandsons love to read an be read too,they would love this book,thanks
vlbelk(at)hotmail.com
Melissa R says
My son’s name is Calvin so course I have to enter this one!
Robin says
This sounds like a really fun little book with great learning potential – oh the discussion taht could come from 1 little book. Can’t wait to read it.
Marj M. says
What an awesome lesson to be found in this book. Thank you for the chance.
Some Lucky Dog says
Thanks for all the great book giveaways!
someluckydog at gmail dot com
Anne says
I’m identifying pretty strongly with Calvin right now, and I haven’t even read the book yet!
Ruth Hill says
Sounds really great! Please enter me to win!
Idaho Jill says
This sounds so so cute!
Kathy Stevenson says
I would love to win this book!
Krystal says
What a cute book. I am definitely a bookworm, and so are my kiddos!
Jenn says
That does sound like an awesome book 🙂
LaVonne says
We love books here! Thanks for the chance to win. 🙂
Maureen says
Hi – thanks for the great book review and recommendation. This book looks super cute. Thanks, Maureen (jnomaxx at hotmail dot com)
Linda Kish says
This sounds like a very cute story.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Christine Jensen says
This book looks adorable, I would love to win a copy.
Angela W. says
A cute book!
Krista says
It looks so cute! And you can never have too many books!
nan lara says
thanks for the chance
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
MotherofStyle says
Well, I am a little annoyed by all the Starlings that keep eating all the birdseed I put out for fancier looking birds like Stellar’s Jays and Pileated Woodpeckers, but maybe this book would make me rethink my current position on Starlings?
tennille says
love the illustations
Amber says
Thanks for a chance to win!
Staci A says
My little book lover would love to read this with me! It sounds like a cute story!
katklaw777 says
We are big bird watchers around here and would luv a copy of this book, thanks.
AutumH says
This sounds like a fabulous book and one that I would be pulling down off my shelves constantly for my little bookworms. Thank you for the opportunity.
Inspired Kathy says
Please enter me.
stacy says
Cute book!