LitPick Review
The members of Mei Mei’s family are some of the most elegant fliers, but she dreams of having her own flying style. Daring to be different, Mei Mei sets out to explore how other creatures fly, taking notes and practicing their skills. Instead of being impressed with Mei Mei’s uniqueness, some of the other fairies laugh at her. A wise owl shares all of the ways different birds fly and why, leaving Mei Mei wondering what her unique way of flying should be. With a lot of practice and determination, Mei Mei discovers something special about herself and sends a message of confidence to others like her.
Opinion:
Mei Mei Flying with Flair is a delightful story about a young fairy who dreams of being unique. Simple, rhyming text pairs with colorful illustrations, as Mei Mei explores canyons and beaches in search of her new flying style. The unique text placement contributes to the story, as individual words are bold and colorful, phrases bounce among the pages, and letters jumble for emphasis. An interesting feature is the questions directed toward the reader throughout the bright, interactive pages. For instance, “how many birds do you see” and “where is Mei Mei”. This is a wonderful way to engage young readers with text. However, I would’ve liked to see these questions placed more discreetly on the page, so as to not distract from the flow of the story itself. Depicting an encouraging message of perseverance and individuality, Jaybie D.’s Mei Mei Flying with Flair is inspired by a traditional Chinese Folklore, making it a wonderful addition to any library!
