If I Never Forever Endeavor

Description

A fledgling teeters at the edge of his nest in a gorgeously illustrated tale sure to resonate with anyone facing a rite of passage, change, or challenge. Safe inside his cozy nest, a young bird considers whether or not to give his new wings a try. What if he tries and the wings don't work, and he flails, plummets, and looks foolish? Then again, what if his wings take him swooping and gliding, sailing and flying through a great big wonderful world? He'll never know if he never endeavors. With the help of her bold, beautiful collage artwork, Caldecott Honor-winning artist Holly Meade offers a gentle nudge for hesitant fledglings of all ages and species to step out, to dare, to try . . . and to fly.

Holly Meade (1956-2013) earned a Caldecott Honor for her illustrations in Hush! A Thai Lullabye, by Minfong Ho. She also illustrated Peek! A Thai Hide-and-Seek by Minfong Ho; And Then Comes Halloween by Tom Brenner; On the Farm and In the Wild by David Elliott; and many others.

Stunning collages of textured linoleum block prints and watercolors span double-page spreads to showcase the wee yellow bird warily peeking out of his nest on a pine bough as he debates and imagines himself soaring as well as plummeting....An irresistible invitation to test those wings and fly -Kirkus Reveiws (starred review) Lovely ode to setting out on your own. With delicate, quirky rhythm, Meade describes the indecision of a little bird in a comfortable nest.... Combining watercolors, linoleum block printing, and collage, Meade's spreads feature blue and white skies that seem to go on forever, sturdy-looking trees and branches, and an ambivalent yellow bird made of cleverly cut paper....Celebratory and comforting. -Booklist (starred review)