The Flying Teddy by June Dooney, Illus. Jess Twohill. Pub. CopyPress, 4 June 2024.

This is old fashioned story telling at it’s best and a terrific read-a -loud for juniors and pre schoolers.

Tommy teddy is bored with his life sitting alongside Kiwi on Penelope’s bed. He sees birds outside his window singing and enjoying themselves and he muses that that is what he wants.

He sees the birds have similar colouring to himself so decides he is a bird and changes his name to Tommy Twit. he goes outside to join the birds and they are sceptical but understanding. They try to teach him to fly and to eat bird food like worms.

How will teddy handle that? Read this delightful story and see.

Well told. There is more text in this story than is usual for a picture book so early readers can get their teeth into it. It is also beautifully illustrated with Jess Twohill’s illustrations bringing out the character in Tommy, his friend Kiwi and the birds.

A refreshing change.