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George Flies South
A little bird waiting in his nest for his mother to bring back food is blown into the sky, nest and all, by a great wind. Will he be able to fly?
Autumn is coming, and George sits in his little nest, not quite ready to learn to fly even though his mom says it is time to head south for the winter. But when a gust of wind swoops George and his nest out of the tree and onto the roof of a car, George is off whether he likes it or not! With his mom following along chirping encouragement, George must gain the confidence to fly before his nest blows away entirely. This charming picture book gently nudges little fledglings everywhere to try out their wings.
Autumn is coming, and George sits in his little nest, not quite ready to learn to fly even though his mom says it is time to head south for the winter. But when a gust of wind swoops George and his nest out of the tree and onto the roof of a car, George is off whether he likes it or not! With his mom following along chirping encouragement, George must gain the confidence to fly before his nest blows away entirely. This charming picture book gently nudges little fledglings everywhere to try out their wings.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2011
About the author
Simon James
30 books43 followersSimon James is the award-winning author-illustrator of many children’s books, including such favorites as DEAR GREENPEACE, LEON AND BOB, and the Baby Brains series. His stories often concern a child’s relationship with the natural world. Simon James lives in England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
March 9, 2018
George is more interested in his nest than learning to fly. A powerful gust of wind blows him and his nest out of the tree. As they are pushed by the wind, George believes he is flying. He lands on the roof of a car. His mother keeps encouraging George to flap his wings. He tries but still does not fly. Soon the car starts and George is blown down toward the river. Will he learn how to fly now?
This enchanting book is filled with colorful pictures. They provide added insight into the words. Follow George on his misadventures while he learns how to fly. A delightful story which will encourage little ones to spread their wings.
This enchanting book is filled with colorful pictures. They provide added insight into the words. Follow George on his misadventures while he learns how to fly. A delightful story which will encourage little ones to spread their wings.
September 20, 2017
George isn't too sure about this flying to warmer climes thing. In fact, he's quite content to stay right where he's at. When his mother suggests he make the trip, he replies:
"I think I like my nest best.
I'll stay here."
But then a gust of wind comes along, and George manages to have a grand adventure without ever leaving his nest.
A fun story with endearing illustrations.
"I think I like my nest best.
I'll stay here."
But then a gust of wind comes along, and George manages to have a grand adventure without ever leaving his nest.
A fun story with endearing illustrations.
October 28, 2022
The entire feel of the story and pictures are a delight. I enjoyed this one!
Ages: 4 - 8
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
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Ages: 4 - 8
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
February 9, 2012
As winter nears all the birds are heading South. All the birds except George. George's mother is trying to teach him to fly, but he just can't seem to do it, especially since he loves his nest too much. When his mother leaves to catch some worms trouble begins as a strong gust of wind carries George, along with his nest, off into the city. George begins the adventure of his life. Followed by his mother the entire way, George stays tucked in his nest as he rides it from a car, a boat, a crane, and finally ending up on the top of a sky scraper under contruction. When a cat pounces on George's nest it is knocked from the tall building. Twig by twig, the nest begins to fall apart until George is left alone, falling. With a huge breath and beat of his wings, George learns to fly at the last second.
The patience of a mother (or father) and the small steps it takes to eventually achieve a giant leap, make this book a great read for parents and children. Learning to step out of one's comfort zone is certainly an important lesson to the child reader, but realizing the things you can do when you try is undeniably as important. Filled with ink and water color illustrations this book also makes a great read aloud. The illustrations are full on each page and give the reader a detailed scene to search and search through.
The patience of a mother (or father) and the small steps it takes to eventually achieve a giant leap, make this book a great read for parents and children. Learning to step out of one's comfort zone is certainly an important lesson to the child reader, but realizing the things you can do when you try is undeniably as important. Filled with ink and water color illustrations this book also makes a great read aloud. The illustrations are full on each page and give the reader a detailed scene to search and search through.
December 15, 2011
As fall comes to an end, George's mother urges her young bird to leave the nest and fly South. But George isn't quite ready to do so. While his mother looks for worms, he stays put--until a fierce wind blows him and the nest from the tree and sends him on quite a perilous adventure. George traverses the city on a car, a boat, a construction crane, and an encounter with a cat forces him to make a speedy descent from his high perch. As his nest disintegrates, George has no choice but to flap his wings. The soft ink and watercolor illustrations are especially appealing, and observant readers will appreciate the expressions on the faces of the human and animal onlookers.
February 7, 2012
George is reluctant about learning to fly. When a wind gust carries off his comfy nest with him in it, George unwillingly ventures out into the world. A nice message about taking risks.
December 8, 2025
What happens when a bird who is not ready to fly yet, falls from his nest? In this book, we follow George, a baby bird, and his mom on a wild journey across the city as George attempts to fly south. This was an engaging and fun read! The major themes in the book were empowerment (which can be seen when George finally musters the courage to fly) and inner versus outer strength (which can be seen throughout the book, as George is too scared to fly, but has the ability to do so). The main genre of this book is mystery or adventure. Children reading this book could learn about perseverance and determination. This book was a WOW book for me because I enjoyed following George and his mom on their journey.
The author used multiple literary devices and other forms of writing craft in this book. First, the author used the writing craft technique of figure of speech. An example of this writing craft from this book is when the author said the wind “swept through the park.” This writing craft technique enhanced the quality of the book by providing the audience with an idea of the severity of, in this case, the wind. This draws readers further into the storyline. Second, the author used the writing craft technique of onomatopoeia. An example of this writing craft from this book is when the author used the word “whee” when George, and his nest, fell from the tree. This writing craft technique enhanced the quality of the book by allowing readers to seemingly experience the happenings of the story. The author portrayed anti-bias perspectives in this book through positive portrayals of marginalized individuals.
The author used multiple literary devices and other forms of writing craft in this book. First, the author used the writing craft technique of figure of speech. An example of this writing craft from this book is when the author said the wind “swept through the park.” This writing craft technique enhanced the quality of the book by providing the audience with an idea of the severity of, in this case, the wind. This draws readers further into the storyline. Second, the author used the writing craft technique of onomatopoeia. An example of this writing craft from this book is when the author used the word “whee” when George, and his nest, fell from the tree. This writing craft technique enhanced the quality of the book by allowing readers to seemingly experience the happenings of the story. The author portrayed anti-bias perspectives in this book through positive portrayals of marginalized individuals.
December 28, 2023
Idyllic though a treehouse might seem to human children, think about this: Nests are the ultimate treehouses. Living there is something so many birds do. Yet, indirectly, this storybook reveals the insecurity, the non-idyllic nature, of nest living.
You see, Goodreaders, this story is about little George, a trusting little bird who hasn't yet learned a thing about flying. While he waits for his mother to bring back some worms to eat, what happens? A gust of wind blows that nest, George and all, into the sky.
Will he be able to fly? Will he ever be reunited with his mother?
Suspenseful questions for a toddler to consider. Yet the beautiful watercolor illustrations by Simon James (also the author) can only augur a happy ending.
What a fascinating tale of rescue this turns out to be! Just suspenseful enough.
FIVE STARS for the tale, for the words and great pictures.
You see, Goodreaders, this story is about little George, a trusting little bird who hasn't yet learned a thing about flying. While he waits for his mother to bring back some worms to eat, what happens? A gust of wind blows that nest, George and all, into the sky.
Will he be able to fly? Will he ever be reunited with his mother?
Suspenseful questions for a toddler to consider. Yet the beautiful watercolor illustrations by Simon James (also the author) can only augur a happy ending.
What a fascinating tale of rescue this turns out to be! Just suspenseful enough.
FIVE STARS for the tale, for the words and great pictures.
October 25, 2017
I'm eating up the illustrations in this one by James - a touch Quentin Blake and a lot of fun. Simple fly away home story about a little bird with pluck but not quite enough it seems to take his first giant leap into the unknown. Spread your wings and jump, is the message...it might be surprising how easily you fly. Lovely.
September 7, 2021
Cute story about a baby bird who isn't quite ready to leave the nest, so when the wind blows he rides it where it goes, with his protective mother following along encouraging him to fly. Great airy illustrations.
July 20, 2019
Read the German edition of this book, titled "Jakob fliegt nach Sueden". Story just so-so.
October 3, 2019
Pretty cute. I think my toddler will enjoy this more when she is older.
January 24, 2020
My granddaughters loved it
September 26, 2020
Simple. Sweet. A great read aloud for preK. George doesn't want to leave his nest to fly south but then...
October 19, 2020
George is scared of learning to fly and leave his secure nest, but one day a gust of wind makes that decision for him. A humorous story for younger children.
June 21, 2021
A new little bird has an adventure in his nest because he doesn't want to learn to fly. Preschool and up. heavy picture dependence.
September 18, 2022
Adorable!
February 8, 2023
Aww! Sweet little baby bird all snug in his nest. I was a little worried about him when he started to blow away, though.
November 28, 2023
Age 2…enjoyed. We added some sound effects for the wind, which made it more interactive for a little one.
July 4, 2024
Reading the books I’m giving my little niece😂🫶🏻
November 7, 2024
This was cute and unique. I loved the artwork.
March 27, 2025
Actually a really touching way to frame how adults can approach apprehension and fear with emotional attunement, encouragement, and presence.
March 4, 2017
George a baby bird needs to fly south with his mom because it is turning autumn. He's not quite ready until a gust of wind starts him and his nest on an adventure.
March 1, 2013
Ready or not George must learn to fly and migrate south for the winter. George narrowly escapes a strong gust of wind, a speeding car, a boat ride, a night in a construction site, and a hungry cat all while attempting to fly. When there is nothing left of George's little nest he conjures up all his strength and flaps his wings as hard as he can. Now that George is ready, he and his mother can fly south.
"George Flies South" is appropriate for ages 3+ (Grades PreK+).
I feel like this book gives mixed messages. First, George is not ready to learn to fly and is happy to spend more time in his nest even though other birds are leaving and migrating south. His mother goes along with this and lets George call the shots. I feel like instead of encouraging George to fly, the mother bird continues to serve him worms and cater to his fears. George doesn't attempt to fly until his nest disintegrates around him while falling through the air. Aside from that, I thought the book was cute and simple. It would make a perfect bedtime story.
"George Flies South" is appropriate for ages 3+ (Grades PreK+).
I feel like this book gives mixed messages. First, George is not ready to learn to fly and is happy to spend more time in his nest even though other birds are leaving and migrating south. His mother goes along with this and lets George call the shots. I feel like instead of encouraging George to fly, the mother bird continues to serve him worms and cater to his fears. George doesn't attempt to fly until his nest disintegrates around him while falling through the air. Aside from that, I thought the book was cute and simple. It would make a perfect bedtime story.
January 9, 2012
Winter was coming, but George was not quite ready to try to fly yet. George waited for his mother to return with some worms, when a gust of wind picked up his nest and carried the nest and George into the air! The nest landed softly on the top of a car, which promptly started driving with George’s mother chasing behind. The nest flew off the car and then landed on a boat. From there, George and the nest were lifted high up into a tall building that was being constructed. George slept safely up in the building until he was awoken by a pouncing cat. Now George was falling without his nest and without knowing how to fly!
Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.
Read the rest of my review on my blog, Waking Brain Cells.
March 10, 2013
A very simple story about George having to fly south...only...
George doesn't want to leave his nest.
But what happens when his nest leaves the tree?
I think the best part of this story is the journey of the nest. In an almost magical way, it floats along and gets transported to different parts of the city.
Poor George's mother is trying to keep him safe the whole time too!
The illustrations are great, as always. I LOVE Simon James.
His drawings seem so simple but always convey so much.
Parts of this book are like a mini graphic novel, with some pages having several panels to show what's happening.
A really cute book!
George doesn't want to leave his nest.
But what happens when his nest leaves the tree?
I think the best part of this story is the journey of the nest. In an almost magical way, it floats along and gets transported to different parts of the city.
Poor George's mother is trying to keep him safe the whole time too!
The illustrations are great, as always. I LOVE Simon James.
His drawings seem so simple but always convey so much.
Parts of this book are like a mini graphic novel, with some pages having several panels to show what's happening.
A really cute book!
March 1, 2014
It’s a story of adventure when George, a young bird still in his nest, likes it well enough that he doesn’t want to learn to fly, to leave for the south with his mother when winter begins its icy chill. His mother encourages, but until a sudden wind takes George for his first, sometimes “feather-raising” adventure, he stays and stays. It’s the sweetest story with line drawings filled with soft watercolors, and also a metaphor for growing up, something some children resist. It will be a great book for discussion with younger students and one’s own children.
October 20, 2016
George loves his nest and never wants to leave. He doesn't want to learn how to fly. But when his nest gets blown out of the tree, George calls to his mother that he's flying. He lands on a car which takes him down the street, then is blown onto a barge which takes him down the river, and finally up on the construction site when the lumber is lifted high in the air. A cat comes along and scares George. He and his nest fall off the construction beam and when the nest falls apart, George is forced into learning how to fly. Now he can fly south with his mother.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews