OLVINA FLIES

An invitation to the Tenth Annual Bird Convention in Hawaii motivates Olvina to overcome her fear of flying on an airplane (since chickens themselves can’t fly, silly). Her friend Will, a pig, encourages her, drives her to the airport, and stands by her in an embarrassing moment when she has to unpack her bag at check-in because she packed her ticket inside. She boards, nervously sweats on take-off, and her friendly fellow passenger offers her gum to help her ears. Coincidentally, he is also going to the Convention (he’s a penguin and it’s too far to swim to Hawaii) so they share a taxi and time together. The last pages show snapshots of them on the beach, snorkeling, and drinking coconuts along with a postcard to Will (addressed to Will Gelato at 4 Frosting Circle) with a “P.S. Flying was easy!” The intent is clear here, a message wrapped in a story to help kids feel more relaxed about flying and Lin (One for You, One for Me, above, etc.) gets it across with humor and understanding. Peopling the characters as animals gives her opportunity for puns and silliness in both the visuals and narrative. Her bordered, colorful gouache illustrations are droll and provide clever touches (e.g., a monkey retrieving a bunch of bananas from the security conveyer belt). Fun, reassuring, and very useful. (Picture book. 4-7)