Flit the Fantail and the Flying Flop

Flit the Fantail and the Flying Flop

Author: Kat Merewether

Illustrator: Kat Merewether

Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand

ISBN: 9781775435105

RRP $17.99

Format: paperback

Date of Publication: 2018

Ages: 2-7

Reviewer: Nova Gibson

Job: Library Manager

School: Massey Primary School

Highly Recommended

The cover of this beautifully illustrated book by Kat Merewether would make anybody pick it up and want to find out what that fantail is up to. It is poised on the end of a branch, one foot in the air with a naughty expression on its face as if to say, ‘What will happen if I do this and what are you going to do about it?’ Any mother with a two-year-old will identify. The alliteration in the title rolls off the tongue, adding fun and interest.

Flit does disobey its parents’ instructions to stay in the nest and finds itself in a predicament: on the ground with wings not yet strong enough to fly back to the nest.

Other birds from the forest come along to help with a variety of methods to help Flip get airborne again. But it’s not until they combine their efforts that Flit gets safely back to the nest. But not for long: it seems that after some kai, Flit feels strong enough to fly again but OOPS!

This book is a great read-aloud and can be used in many areas of the curriculum: Native NZ birds feature in this story and the physics of helping to elevate Flit (SCIENCE); the importance of listening to wiser others, and cooperation and teamwork (HEALTH).

The illustrations are varied and give a sense of movement, and with short succinct paragraphs on the pages this book would be sure to hold the attention of young children.