About the story...

Hoover, a crotchety old barn owl, makes a surprising discovery while searching for a much-needed meal. He finds Robbie, a young robin, alone in a nest. Robbie’s family has flown south for the winter, leaving him behind. Nosy Hoover must find out how this happened, and how Robbie has survived without his parents. Bit by bit, Hoover unravels Robbie’s secret - he was afraid of heights and never learned to fly!

A special friendship develops between Hoover and Robbie. Hoover comes to realize that Robbie will starve unless the young robin does the one thing he fears most - leave his nest and fly for the first time. Hoover must convince Robbie to face that fear.

Flying Lessons is a story about finding freedom through facing your fears, and realizing that helping someone, even with the best of intentions, doesn’t always help them learn the lessons of life.

A Great Book for Children and Adults!, December 11, 2005

Like all excellent children's literature, this book appeals to parents almost as much as it does to children. Robbie's dilemna will help both children and parents to see that each creature must learn to be independent, while understanding that we are never alone. The book is suggested for ages 9-12, but I think it could be read aloud to children as young as 4 or 5; the older ones will enjoy reading it themselves. I plan to buy several more to give as gifts to my grandchildren, grandnieces and grandnephews.