Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor

 

While Mama is away, Mel decides to bravely wander out of the nest because she decides that it is time she learned to fly.  "Aren't you scared?" asks her sister, to which Mel replies "Yes, but I won't let that stop me!"  Mel jumps from the tree branch and begins to free fall. As she plunges down, many of the other inhabitants of the tree try to save her, to no avail.  Suddenly "SPLASH!" she plunges into the river below.

In the river, Mel discovers who she is and what she is meant to do. The colored pencil and acrylic illustrations bring the story to life, but are greatly enhanced from the unique way the book is bound, opening from bottom to top. A perfect read aloud, that kids will want to read over and over on their own. A 2021 Caldecott Honor book.

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 1.4 • Interest Level: P-2 • AR Points: 0.5 • Lexile Level: NA • Publisher: Harper Collins • Pages: 40 • Copyright: 2021 • ISBN: 978-0-06-287801-4