The Dog Who Wanted to Fly

Ever since reading Red is Best to my son when he was little, Kathy Stinson was a favourite author of ours. Now I am reading her books to my his children and I can't wait to get a physical copy of this book to read to them. Zora really wants to catch a squirrel but is just not fast enough. Maybe if I can fly, Zora thinks. Tully, the cat, relaxing in the tree just keeps saying, "Dogs can't fly", that is until a friend is in danger.

The Dog Who Wanted to Fly is a sweet story about pursuing dreams and friendship. Zora does not give up trying to fly, even though every attempt ends up with her flopped on the ground. When flying really matters, Zora soars through the air. The illustrations in this book are amazing. Brandon James Scott did an amazing job showing movement and expression in the pictures. Of course the important thing for me is the lesson taught here, do not give up on your dreams. Even the impossible can be possible. As well, the lesson that even though Tully was not very encouraging, friendship wins out when Zora is finally able to "fly" when she needs to help her friend. Pick up a copy of The Dog Who Wanted to Fly and remind our children to try even when it seems impossible and persevere. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

I must have this book for my collection. This dog loving heart is just crying AHHHHHhhhhhhhhhh. Zora want to fly. She wants to catch that dang squirrel. But nothing works. This book is just so darn cute. I want more Zora stories. The book is simple in the best of ways. The chitchitchit of the squirrels and the action verbs of Zora would make this a fun book to act out in Story time. A new beloved book for this reader.

Thank you to Annick Press Ltd. and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Dog Who Wanted to Fly by Kathy Stinson was everything I hoped it would be. As a dog mom to two golden retrievers, I instantly fell in love with Zora and her quest to learn to fly (so she could catch her pesky nemesis - the squirrel!!). My youngest golden, Atticus, is always on the lookout for squirrels so our family can definitely relate to the premise of this cute story!

The illustrations were beautiful and perfectly fit the personality of all the characters. The story was creative and lasted just long enough to hold a child's attention. It was cute watching Zora think of ideas and try to execute learning to fly so she could catch the squirrel. I also liked that it taught a lesson that you should always keep trying and even if you don't reach the goal you first set out to achieve, you can still do something good with hard work and perseverance.

I will definitely be buying this for my daughter's library when this is published! So glad I had the opportunity to review this!

I love this book, especially the illustrations. Zora, a loveable dog, has personality plus. She is quite a character. Her dream is to fly so she can catch the pesky squirrel that keeps taunting her in her backyard. The squirrel knows just how to press Zora's buttons and Zora wants to rise to the occasion (literally) to teach that scallywag a lesson.

Tully, a skeptical cat, discourages Zora and tells her that there is no way that dogs can possibly fly. Zora tries hard to prove Tully wrong. She flaps her ears and wiggles her tail... no... fail. She tries to obtain liftoff by pouncing on an empty teeter-totter... nope, and then she grabs an umbrella and tries to soar through the sky like the kite she sees high up in the heavens... oh nooo... human intervention. She spots a huge heavy airplane zooming along with ease and lays on her stomach, stretches out her legs and whispers, "Up! Up! Up!".... uh uh. She's doomed to remain earth-bound. Totally discouraged in her defeats she trudges back to her doghouse downhearted and sad. Is there any hope that her dream of flying can come true?

Zora picks up her ears when she hears a desperate cry for help from Tully who is stranded high up in a tree. Instantly "Zora's everything tingled! " Another cry calls her into action and Zora is off to the rescue but can she take flight to do so?

This delightful story of perseverance and heart is embedded in almost animated illustrations of the highest quality. They are expressive and full of action visually encouraging the reader to never give up dreaming. My all time favourite is when Zora is sprawled out under the shadow of a huge airplane which is flying overhead and she is trying to levitate. I highly recommend this book with it's positive message and pleasing humour. Dream on and dream BIG!