First Flight

First Flight written and illustrated by David Miller (Working Title Press)

HB RRP $24.99

ISBN 9781921504570

Reviewed by Vicki Thornton

  

‘Dawn broke as sleepy night animals

snuggled down in their nests.

But laughing kookaburras called Joey,

the little glider, outside.’

And so begins little Joey’s first journey, alone, into the Australian bush. When cockatoos screech close by, he falls from the tree, instinctively spreading his feet and gliding for the first time. Unsure and scared, he hides under a log, staying safe until night falls and his parents find him.  No longer a baby glider riding on his mother’s back, Joey is now able to fly alone.

This is a sweet story of a young glider, alone in the bush, and his first solo flight. With lovely lilting language- and good use of alliteration- we meet some of the animals of the Australian bush such as the lyrebird, blue-tongue lizard and echidna.

Miller’s artwork is delicate and soft, very dream like in some aspects, offering a gentle palette that is very reassuring and soothing. This book is ideal for preschool and early readers and offers a good introduction to some of the animals of the Australian bush.