The Year We Learned to Fly

Praise for The Year We Learned to Fly:

★ “Two Black siblings use their imaginations to escape their immediate surroundings throughout the seasons in this picture book by previous collaborators Woodson and López (The Day You Begin). . . . Learning to soar ‘from the people who came before,’ the children are told both that their feelings have been experienced by others, and that “nobody can ever cuff/ your brilliant and beautiful mind,” a lesson they pass on in turn. Energetic layered multimedia illustrations accompany the poetically repeating lines, vividly depicting winged escapes over images of a slave ship and contemporary real-world high-rises.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

★ ”A narrative rich with literary and visual symbolism, simultaneously simple and profound…With this book, Woodson and Lopez create a path that children may follow as they gain confidence and imagine a way forward no matter what challenges arise.” —Booklist, starred review

★ “An intergenerational family story of freedom. . . . López illustrates the inside of the family’s apartment with drab, muted colors that emphasize the children’s confinement. In contrast, the outdoor scenes, illustrated primarily in pastels, exude luminosity and convey the youngsters’ exuberance. . . . The ebullient mixed-media artwork explodes with color and extends the richness of the text. An uplifting story that will inspire kids, especially brown girls and boys, to dream.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ ”Woodson and López are thankfully, and marvelously, back together. . . . Honoring echoes of the past (masterfully captured in both text and art) with an eye set on the possibilities of the future, this uplifting and honest reflection of the experiences of many children is a perfect example of the power of the picture book. It helps children, through words and art, to be seen and also challenges them to embrace their own power and agency. The many layers of both art and language will provide fodder for rich classroom discussions. . . . A must for any collection, and an outstanding example of the picture book as an artistic and literary form.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“Poetic text. . . . The book reminds children that imagination is a powerful tool in any situation, and López’s colorful, eye-pleasing art enhances this message. Readers also are reminded that they have support from the past.” —Horn Book

“Like its companion The Day You Begin, this reassuring picture book takes a gentle approach, but the layered storytelling leaves much to explore. While the pandemic is never mentioned, plenty of kids will relate to days on end stuck inside, with hot tempers and short fuses, an experience our young narrator notes with wry humor: ‘We fought and frowned and made silent promises to never speak to each other ever again.’ The grandmother’s advice moves beyond a general directive to a more specific reference of the siblings’ family ancestry in a scene that showcases López’s luminous art. The grandmother lifts the little girl up into a sky resplendent with yellows and golds foregrounded by a garden of verdant greens with silhouettes of relatives past looking upon them.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Dynamically illustrated and poetically written. . . . Woodson’s expressive text makes each ordeal realistic and accessible, even as the stakes get higher. López’s mixed-media art matches Woodson’s tone, his figures realistic even as the landscapes become dreamy and fantastical. As with The Day You Begin, this picture book manages to entertain, educate and inspire with the lightest of touches.” —Shelf Awareness