Gary

by Leila Rudge, Leila Rudge (Illustrator)

Overview

Gary, a grounded racing pigeon, dreams of exploring the world—until the day he falls into an adventure of his very own.

Most of the time, Gary is just like the other racing pigeons, eating and sleeping and dreaming of adventure. There’s just one thing that separates him from the ordinary pigeons: he can’t fly. When his friends set off in their travel basket, Gary expects to stay at home, organizing his scrapbook of travel mementos and imagining far-off places. But when he accidentally falls into the travel basket and ends up a very long way from home, he discovers that flying might not be the only way to have adventures. Leila Rudge, in her gentle, colorful style, is sure to charm anyone who has ever felt like the odd one out with this satisfying story of perseverance and being comfortable in your own skin.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763689544
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	11/08/2016
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 10.70(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Leila Rudge was born in England and received a degree in illustration from Bath University. She is the author-illustrator of A Perfect Place for Ted and the illustrator of No Bears and Duck for a Day, both written by Meg McKinlay. She now lives in Australia.

Editorial Reviews

Text and illustrations work together to create a meaningful story that's playful and fun...Thoughtful compositions keep eyes moving across spreads, offering readers the sensation of traveling. This convivial and gentle story about differences is a needed addition to collections about challenging the norm or upending physical expectations.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Gary proves a savvy and resourceful bird, and it’s refreshing to see his character embrace adventure rather than simply wish for the ability to fly.
—Booklist

The artwork is endearing...Parents, teachers, and librarians will love the message that it’s OK to be different. A solid choice for a storytime or one-on-one sharing.
—School Library Journal

This story passes with flying colors—a charmer through and through.
—BookPage

From the Publisher

10/01/2016
PreS-Gr 2—Gary is a racing pigeon who cannot fly. But he has a positive attitude. While the other racing pigeons are off on their adventures, Gary keeps busy working on a travel scrapbook. It includes information that he overhears about the exploits of the other racing pigeons. The artwork is endearing. The bird wears a little blue knit cap, while the racing pigeons don jerseys. Gary's luck changes when he accidentally falls into the racing pigeons' travel basket with his scrapbook. The other pigeons end up in the basket, too. But when they fly back home, Gary is stranded in the city alone. Readers will root for Gary, the underdog. He is able to save himself thanks to his scrapbook, which he uses to navigate his way home. Illustrations work beautifully with the text, establishing a lighthearted tone. The other pigeons in their red and gray jerseys are perched on the wall, welcoming him back. The narrative ends with an explanation that life returns to normal except that sometimes the other racing pigeons go on bus rides with Gary. Although not unique, this title has broad appeal. Parents, teachers, and librarians will love the message that it's OK to be different. VERDICT A solid choice for a storytime or one-on-one sharing.—Robin Sofge, Alexandria Library, VA

School Library Journal

★ 2016-08-17
A racing pigeon who can’t fly dreams of travel but ultimately finds—and shares—his own way to adventure. Gary eats, sleeps, and dreams just like other birds. But on race days he must stay behind, organizing his beloved scrapbook of travel mementos (collected from the others’ excursions). Hungrily he listens to the birds’ tales, jotting down notes on aerial paths and wind directions. When the flightless pigeon is accidentally left in the city, he uses his scrapbook to find his way home—returning with a story and souvenirs of his own. The opening text is repeated at the end with a slight twist, cleverly emphasizing how Gary’s differences can be a gift, with the other pigeons sometimes wanting to be just like him. Text and illustrations work together to create a meaningful story that’s playful and fun. The mixed-media artwork has a scrapbook aesthetic, with subtle washes of color and pencil work that reinforces shapes, creating texture and shading. Rudge smartly uses collage for Gary’s maps or items he’s collected, as the medium becomes integral to the story. Thoughtful compositions keep eyes moving across spreads, offering readers the sensation of traveling. This convivial and gentle story about differences is a needed addition to collections about challenging the norm or upending physical expectations. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews