(4) K-3 Illustrated by Keith Bendis. Though his cousins tease him about his glasses, book-loving starling Calvin (Calvin Can't Fly) reminds himself of great historical figures who also wore them, such as Ben Franklin, Gandhi, and John Lennon. When faced with a precarious situation, Calvin uses his new spectacles in an unexpected way. Overt confidence-bolstering messages abound in the playfully written story with amiable illustrations featuring square, spindly-legged birds.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Keith Bendis. Calvin the starling is too busy reading to learn to fly, so his relatives figure out a way to carry him along when they migrate. Because he has read so much, Calvin recognizes a hurricane approaching and (predictably) manages to save the whole flock. The book delivers its worthy, if obvious, message with playful language and jaunty gouache illustrations.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert