Teaching Eddie to Fly - (Katarina's Small Wonders) by Katarina Macurova

About the Book

Eddie is a bird, but he can't fly! His friend Ernest, a bear, decides he's going to help Eddie learn to fly--with hilarious and unanticipated results. Along the way, both Ernest and Eddie learn some valuable lessons. Is Eddie even meant to fly? Or is there something else he's even better at?

Book Synopsis

Delve into a charming picture book where Arthur the bear and his bird friend Eddie go on an adventure to teach Eddie how to fly.

Teaching Eddie to Fly is a heartwarming picture book centered around Arthur the bear and Eddie, his ostrich buddy. When Arthur asks Eddie one day, "Why don't you fly?" and Eddie says, "Because nobody has taught me how," Arthur's curiosity is piqued. Thus begins a fun and quirky globe-trotting adventure filled with determination and laughter. Through various exercises and encounters with birds from around the world, Arthur's mission to teach Eddie to fly ultimately takes an unexpected turn, leaving young readers with a valuable lesson about embracing individuality and the joys of friendship.

This delightful book, tailored for children aged 3-6, offers engaging storytelling and vivid illustrations. It encourages kids to celebrate their uniqueness and value their friendships, promoting diversity and individuality along the way. Written by a renowned children's author--among other awards, Katarina Macurova has received a Communication Arts Award of Excellence--Teaching Eddie to Fly is a cherished addition to any child's library, delivering important life lessons in a way that is fun, engaging, and entertaining.

Review Quotes

Selected for CBC's Summer Showcase 2024: Imagination Celebration

Selected for The Children's Book Council's April 2024 "Hot Off The Press" Reading List

"Real friends help pals fly in more ways than one. Arthur, a small bear, is friends with Eddie, an ostrich. After Arthur asks Eddie why he doesn't fly, Eddie explains that he wasn't taught. Solicitous Arthur decides to play teacher. He enjoys giving lectures and illustrates aeronautical principles on a chalkboard. Next, Arthur instructs Eddie to flap his wings, but nothing doing. More lessons ensue. Eddie is lifted in a hot-air balloon, jumps off a diving board, tries stilts, and dangles from a parachute. Arthur decides to ask some birds how they learned to fly. It's a good idea, except Arthur ends up questioning a series of flightless birds, and a parrot who talks nonstop--but not about flying. Discouraged, the pair walk home; the tired Arthur rides atop Eddie's back. Eddie's legs move faster; Arthur marvels at Eddie's lightning pace. Perhaps Eddie already has a great skill. Originally published in the Czech Republic, this winning story about friendly, supportive encouragement soars, even if Eddie doesn't. Sweet Eddie never questions where Arthur, who obviously can't fly, gets his expertise from; readers may want to ponder and discuss this. The charming illustrations are lively and comical. The protagonists are adorable, their size differential making their friendship especially endearing. An uplifting, high-flying tale about friendship and being the wind beneath someone's wings. (Picture book. 4-7)" --Kirkus Reviews

"The whimsical tale will prove not only entertaining, but attractive to read-aloud adults who will appreciate the value of its underlying messages about friendship, education, and effort." --Donovan's Literary Services

"The tale will prove not only entertaining, but also attractive to read-aloud adults who will appreciate the value of its underlying messages about friendship, education, and effort. Teaching Eddie to Fly is a top recommendation for elementary-level libraries." --Midwest Book Review-Children's Bookwatch

"With relatively simple and repetitive language printed one or two sentences to a page, this book is suitable for reading aloud as well as for emerging readers who are ready to practice reading on their own. The drawings of Arthur and Eddie's attempts at flying are laugh-out-loud funny." --Rachael Reiley, Association of California Libraries

"Dry, droll humor combined with hilarious illustrations (an ostrich in a crash helmet is just the start) make this book an adorable, irresistible read. The fact that it also contains a number of wonderful messages--about being yourself, figuring out what you're good at, friends helping friends--and even a sly dig at know-it-alls, also makes it surprisingly deep." --Global Literature in Libraries

"Eddie wants to fly, but he is not able to. His friend, Arthur is determined to help Eddie learn. They try everything, but get nowhere. So, they decide to visit other birds, to get some ideas, but come up empty. But as they head home, something wonderful happens! Eddie and Arthur make a great team, and this cute read is one that kids are going to truly enjoy." --Rebecca Hill, Blogger

"It's an engaging, quickly-read and fun little drama, and is certainly one to consider strongly. Four and a half stars."--John Lloyd, Reviewer

"The story is one of perseverance, desire, and kindness as the two friends work together to try to accomplish a task. Young readers will enjoy the give and take between Arthur and Eddie." --Beth Rodgers, YA Books Central

"Teaching Eddie To Fly is a very funny story about finding what you are good at and what makes you unique. I liked the quirky and silly illustrations." --Kiss the Book Jr

"Kids will love the charming and humorous illustrations, the endearing support of friends, and the hilarious results of Teaching Eddie to Fly." --The Children's Hour

"An adorable pair of friends heads out to achieve the impossible, and it's hard not to cheer for them the entire way. [...] The text is kept simple and short, giving just enough to keep the story rolling along. It makes a great read aloud for even the younger end of the reading audience. The illustrations are gentle and still let the humor sit very well. It's sure to become one of those reads which ends with the words 'again'." --Tonja Drecker, Blogger

"Kids will love the charming and humorous illustrations, the endearing support of friends, and the hilarious results of "Teaching Eddie to Fly."" --The Children's Hour

"Eddie may not be able to fly, but maybe he can do other cool things? A fun little book that I enjoyed very much. Highly recommended." --Shonatiger, Blogger

"This charming picture book is ideally suited to a young audience because of the brevity of the text and the accompanying cartoon-like illustrations. Very few words appear on each page, and though the text is limited, it helps the story to progress while also providing ample subtext for older readers and caregivers to appreciate. The illustrations are well balanced with the text, and they are large enough to be enjoyed by a classroom of children as well as in a home setting. Comedic, joyful, and unexpected, this book will please readers of all ages, especially those who are beginning to learn about various animals around the globe." --Mary Lanni Reads

"As we have found with other books by Katarína Macurová, there is a little twist at the end that will leave readers giggling ad rolling their eyes." --Kids Read the World, IG

"This fun picture book has us giggling but also learning from Eddy and his best friend, who will never give up on him. Resilience but also strong friendship, and hilarious yet adorable characters." --Froggy Read Teach IG

About the Author

Born in 1983, Katarina Macurova is an award-winning artist whose innovative work spans from graphics and illustration to 3D graphics. She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, Slovakia, and has won several prestigious awards, including the Communication Arts Award of Excellence in the USA. Hailing from Bratislava, Slovakia, she continues to push the boundaries of her artistry.