CHILDREN'S BOOK & MEDIA REVIEW: Fly is a cute character with personality, and the original story line moves smoothly to a happy and hopeful ending. Illustrated in with black, white, and dashes of yellow, the minimalistic design of this book is unique and eye catching. The simply drawn animals convey amusing emotion. The words fit nicely within the design, giving the book a pleasing overall effect. The book’s target audience is children ages 3 to 8, but the illustrations and dialogue contain humor to entertain children of all ages. This book shows children they can be themselves, even if they feel alone.
IBBY UK REVIEW: Whilst Fly doesn’t take happily to being given the last piece of advice on how to Fly, she does find that a complement and positivity empowers her no end and ultimately creates a new friendship. The notion of positivity in allowing the main character to become more assertive is the message we are left with from this humble little story. The simplicity of the story alongside the equally modest but beautifully drawn illustrations enhance both text and image. The book is illustrated in black and white but with a smattering of orange on almost every double page spread that lifts the text and images in equal measure.
A beautiful little story that encompasses values such as perseverance, assertiveness and positivity through the most unlikely of antagonists, the modest little fly!
SCHOOL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION REVIEW: The writing, using short sentences and repetition, is accessible to very young children and the message is clear: we all have our own way of doing things and, although it is fine to try other methods, in the end we must decide ourselves what is best for us. The bold monochrome illustrations, with just a few splashes of yellow, are very effective and the twist at the end leaves you with a gentle afterglow.
GET KIDS INTO BOOKS REVIEW: I really liked the striking black and white images with the occasional pop of yellow. There’s also some lovely slapstick humour in the illustrations. My son and I laughed out loud when we were reading. We loved the twist at the end too.
Throughout the book, repetition is used to great effect: repetition within the story structure itself and repetition in the story language. Children will quickly pick up on and join in with the refrains.
Fly Flies has a really strong message about staying true to yourself and not being swayed by others. It’s a terrific book.
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KISS THE BOOK JR REVIEW: This is a simple book with a good message. Do your own thing and don’t worry about the differences between your way and others’ ways.
BOOKS FOR TOPICS REVIEW: I really liked the striking black and white images with the occasional pop of yellow. There’s also some lovely slapstick humour in the illustrations. My class and I laughed out loud when we were reading and we loved the twist at the end, too.
Throughout the book, repetition is used to great effect: repetition within the story structure itself and repetition in the story language. Children will quickly pick up on and join in with the refrains. The story has a strong message about staying true to oneself and not being swayed by others – it would make a brilliant discussion prompt for a PSHE lesson.
YLG REVIEW: Fly Flies is an example of the playfulness that happens in the gaps between text and image. The crisp, witty text is perfectly supported by a bold use of space and limited colour, creating a picture book which celebrates freedom and identity.
MY SHELVES ARE FULL REVIEW: A super book looking at originality, being true to yourself and not following the ways of others. Simply and strikingly illustrated, this book is brilliant!
KIRKUS REVIEW: An increasingly exasperated fly realizes that it’s OK to take to the air in her own way despite what others may think. Fly enjoys flying in “wibbles,” “wobbles,” and “wavies,” but she is interrupted again and again by a series of birds who each insist that she is flying the wrong way. From Blackbird, who claims that a straight line is the best way to fly, to Hawk, who advises Fly to dive for her food, each bird comes with a critique and an insistence that Fly do things their way. Fly becomes more fed up with each encounter, but in the end she meets Butterfly, who joins her in her way of flying—but not before Fly mistakenly takes out her frustrations on the even-keeled Butterfly. Fly comes to understand that different is not wrong and that she likes her way of flying just fine. Modeling self-confidence for young readers, Fly decides to tell everyone to buzz off even before she receives external validation. Although the lesson may not be new, the book feels fresh. Hanaor tells Fly’s story with colloquial, pithy language that teaches a lesson without moralizing. Bowsher’s cheerful illustrations are clear and bold, using just black and yellow, and convey a range of emotions and a lot of sass through simple facial expressions. An easy introduction to the joy of being oneself.
THE BOOK ACTIVIST: Fly Flies is a sweet story about being happy as you are. Fly is enjoying a day of wibbly wobbly flying all over the place. Blackbird, Seagull, Starling and Hawk insist she’s doing it wrong – but she know she’s now even though she tries to be like them. With bold black and white illustrations, our unexpected hero’s journey of trial and error is brilliantly depicted and her final outburst is spot-on! Leaving you with a warm feeling, this story celebrates the importance of being yourself, no matter what.
READING ZONE REVIEW: This book is easy to follow, with simple black and white cartoon pictures which give it a vintage feel. This would be a nice story to share in a class setting as part of a minibeast topic or perhaps a PSHE session as there's a nice moral about doing your own thing, and a lovely example of how being nice to someone can change their mood and outlook at the end’.
BAMBINO GOODIES REVIEW: Sweet story about a fly who gets tired of being told what to do and decides to follow his own path. Monochrome illustrations (with occasional pops of yellow) ensure the littlest readers will engage.
PAUL ET PAULA REVIEW: A delightful book about staying true to yourself in the face of people who insist they know better. Love the illustrations!
LET THEM BE SMALL REVIEW: ' A delightful story about following your own path. The moral is subtle but wonderfully done, and the monochrome illustrations along with bursts of colour make it wonderfully inviting for the children. It's been a regular read for us recently.'
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW: A uniquely charming picture book by author Ziggy Hanaor and illustrator Alice Bowsher, "Fly Flies" is an especially recommended for family, preschool, daycare center, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 3-8.
