My Dad's A Birdman
by David Almond
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Book Summary Information
Author: David AlmondIllustrator: Polly Dunbar
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-02-26
ISBN: 0763636673
Number of pages: 128
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Publisher: Candlewick
Book Reviews of My Dad's A Birdman
Book Review: A refreshing and humorous chapter book for the 5-9s with light-hearted pictures
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great book, a lovely chapter book for the 6+, with bright and cheery illustrations sprinkled throughout and a hint of northern accents.
The main theme, if you like, is a dad and his daughter who have a close relationship. Dad's a bit mad and daughter Lizzie keeps an eye on him.
The Great Human Bird competition is about to take place with many wonderfully inventive (and humorously illustrated) entries, such as Woodpecker Wallie from Whitley Bay and Benny the Bee Boy from Burramurra. Dad chooses "Wings and Faith" as his method of propulsion over the River Tyne but it doesn't seem to be infallible to anyone except Lizzie's Dad.
This is good fresh writing, and I think there's a touch of Dahl both in the storyline and in the writing style too. Unlike Mr Dahl's stories, however, this narrative has a more realistic finale.
Dad fails in his mission to fly over the Tyne with a mighty splash as do the vast majority of the competitors. However, Lizzie and Dad had tried their best to make perfect feathery wings and Dad had even confined himself to an avian diet of insects etc beforehand. So they'd pulled out all the stops and had lot of fun so what did it matter: its a great message for children who all too often see success as entirely synonymous with winning.
As a sideline there's also an Auntie Doreen and her dumplings who falls for Lizzie's headmaster Mr Mortimer Mint.
These four main protagonists all merrily provide a brilliant feel good ending.
Birdman Dad may not be a winner, but "My Dad's A Birdman" certainly is!
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