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.