Ready to Soar by Cori Doerrfeld (review)

Reviewed by: Ready to Soar by Cori Doerrfeld Amanda Toledo Doerrfeld, Cori Ready to Soar; written and illus. by Cori Doerrfeld. Dial, 2024 40p Trade ed. ISBN 9780593696729 18. 99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780593696736 10. 99 Reviewed from digital galleys R 3-6 yrs A cherubic pink-cheeked Riley, decked out in a blue onesie, leather flying cap, and aviator goggles, marches off with a tiny paper airplane clutched in hand, "ready. . . to try something new. " Just before Riley can send the plane off flying to see how far it will go, an eagle descends from the sky, insisting the plane needs to be "bigger. " Adjustments made, Riley tries again, only for a parrot to say it should be "fancier. " One bird after another—a falcon, an owl, a crane, and more—interrupts each take-off with advice on making the plane "faster, " "smarter, " "taller, " "BETTER, " all certain that their guidance will improve the chances of the plane flying. A frustrated Riley stomps away to try again when a penguin leaps into view. But instead of a suggestion, the land-bound bird says, "I just didn't want to miss it" and cheers Riley on. Plenty of negative space, soft watercolor backgrounds, and digitally illustrated characters with crayon-like outlines and pastel dappling all work together to create a cozy atmosphere and manage to make each fowl advisor both adorable and smug in their exhortation. The text ensures storytime engagement, with suspenseful countdowns to each launch, and every groan-inducing interruption from a well-intended but nitpicky bird is ripe for dramatic performance. The story itself contains a gentle reminder to adults that sometimes what children need is a supportive audience as they attempt something new rather than suggestions for improvement. Easily pair this with Doerrfeld's The Rabbit Listened (BCCB 3/18) for a storytime about feelings, or with Shea's Oh, Are You Awake? (BCCB 2/24) for more interruption-induced silliness. Copyright © 2024 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois