What happens when a flightless bird tries to learn to fly?

In Teaching Eddie to Fly, a funny, whimsical picture book for ages 3-7, a little bear named Arthur decides to teach his best friend Eddie to fly. Eddie is a bird, so this seems as if it should be a slam dunk.

Not so fast, though: Eddie is an ostrich.

“Why don’t you fly?” Arthur asks his friend.
Because nobody has taught me how, replies Eddie.
“I’ll teach you, then,” says Arthur.
They begin with a lesson on the basics of flying. Arthur loves giving lectures.

Of course, why a bear would know anything about flying is beside the point—or is it, actually?  Eddie trusts his friend and “they try everything possible… and impossible.” After a number of comically failed attempts, including a hot-air balloon, stilts, and a parachute, the latter of which Eddie definitely does NOT enjoy, Arthur determines they should ask other birds about flying. But that’s a bust, too, because Arthur picks the wrong types of birds to query—primarily ones that can’t fly. Finally, the two friends head home, tired and discouraged.

Homeward bound, Arthur’s feet get sore and Eddie offers him a ride. With Arthur astride, Eddie starts walking slowly and gradually increases his pace, “…until he’s running as fast as other birds fly. “Your legs are so fast you don’t need to fly!” Arthur realizes, in a classic light-bulb moment.

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.

Teaching Eddie to Fly
Written and illustrated by Katarína Macurová
Translated from the Czech by Andrew Oakland
ISBN: 978-8000070773
April 16, 2024, Albatros Media

Reviews: Kirkus

You can buy a copy here* or find it at a library.

*Book purchases made via our affiliate link may earn GLLI a small commission at no cost to you. Advance reader copy provided by publisher.

Award-winning opera singer Nanette McGuinness is the translator of over 120 books and graphic novels for children and adults from French, Italian, German and Spanish into English, including the much-loved Geronimo Stilton Graphic Novels, as well as Tiki: A Very Ruff Year (nominated for the 2023 Eisner and Harvey Awards) and Alice on the Run: One Child’s Journey Through the Rwandan Civil War (2023 GLLI YA Translated Book Prize Honor Book, 2023 Mosaic Prize winner, 2023 Excellence in Graphic Literature Finalist and 2023 Harvey Award nominee). Accolades have also gone to her translations of Magical History Tour: Vikings and of Magical History Tour: Gandhi (both 2023 Excellence in Graphic Literature Finalists), Luisa: Now and Then (2019 Stonewall Honor Book; 2020 GLLI YA Translated Honor Book; YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens in 2019) and California Dreamin’: Cass Elliot Before the Mamas & the Papas (2018 Harvey Award; YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens in 2018).