Mel Fell by Corey R Taylor

Pre-schoolers know a lot of things they didn't know as babies. They don't yet read independently and no one expects this, but IF they've been read to a lot, they know a thing or two about reading:

• They know books are read from front to back. 

• Pictures should be right-side up. 

• Reading is done from left to right. 

• The language of books is different from spoken language. 

• Words have different sounds in them. 

• There are familiar and unfamiliar words.

Reading tons of books to a preschool child, or an even younger child, and knowing all of the above means they will also understand books can break conventions. Of course they need to be familiar, through the reading of hundreds of books, to know conventions such as how pages turn, how books are held, how stories work.

Mel Fell breaks some of these conventions and that is why it is a terrific reading experience and why it won a Caldecott Honour in 2022 and a Wanda Gag Read Aloud Book Award. I talked about that award yesterday.

Mel is a young baby bird - a Kingfisher. She has been in the nest with her siblings for a long time and she is certain today is the day she should fly. Her tree is very tall. To understand just how tall, as a reader you need to turn this book sideways to see the full trunk of the tree. We all watch as Mel falls down. Mel is scared but also brave or is she foolhardy? 

"She jumped. She flipped. She spread her wings. And then .... she fell."

On the way down she passes a family of owls on a tree branch - take a look at their faces! A family of squirrels try to catch her "but it was no use. They missed her by a whisker."

And so as she continues down the bees try, the spider grabs her with all eight legs, and the ants, a slug and a tiny ladybird look on helplessly as she falls past. 

Until you reach the middle page which contains the unexpected word - SPLASH.

The simplicity of this story along with the joyful outcome and the tiny visual jokes, especially towards the end are the strengths of this wonderful book. 

Here is an interview with Corey R Taylor where he talks about his idea for and creation of this book. 

This playful and innovatively designed book tells the story of a small bird who is eager to fly. Horn Book

The unusual orientation, coupled with the gripping idea of first flight (or fall!), inspires both excitement and anxiety. Muted pastel illustrations set against ample, bleached-out white space convey craggy bark, Mel’s soft blue and russet feathers, and clusters of oval celadon leaves. ... Young people, who find themselves on the precipice of new activities, routines, schools, and challenges so frequently, will savor this little kingfisher’s success and perhaps feel they can right themselves the next time they fall into a downward spiral. Kirkus Star review

I have previously talked about these books by Corey R Tabor: