Tommy The Courageous Bird

by Victor Castelo, Deborah Cuneo (Illustrator)

Tommy is a bird that loves to fly but is afraid of heights. However, through a chance encounter with his Grandpa. The General, Tommy learns what the true meaning of courage is.

24 pages, Hardcover

First published June 4, 2013

About the author

Librarian and author of the children's picture book "Tommy the Courageous Bird" and the short story "The Gift"

Reviews

[Karen Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy, the Courageous Bird by Victor Castelo is a very cute book that teaches a valuable lesson to children and even to adults. It is about the definition of courage and the truth about fear. Tommy is a little blue bird who is wonderfully portrayed by illustrator Deborah Cuneo. The colorful drawings are sure to be a big hit with children and add great professionalism to this work. I love the way this tale is presented in a hard-cover binding and with crisp font and clean printing.

The story is of a little bird who is afraid to fly. His parents push him out of the nest, but his trepidation makes him fly close to the ground. As a result of his terror, he cannot visit his mother and father who live on a high tree branch and they are forced to visit him below. One day his Grandfather bird comes. As an ex-military bird, he teaches Tommy the truth about courage and how brave people deal with anxiety. His encouragement gives Tommy the push he needs to solve his problem and overcome his misgivings about flying.

This is a wonderful lesson for children who tend to be afraid of many things, especially new experiences. I know that children everywhere will benefit from the lesson this book teaches. It doesn’t belittle the fear. It teaches children to recognize the fright, accept it, and know that courage is having the fear but pushing past it. Courage, in other words, is not freedom from fear but overcoming anxiety. It is something both children and adults need to remember when faced with fear. I love the way this book then goes on to show that Tommy doesn’t just learn to fly high, he learns to love to fly high. As it is so often, we come to love the very thing that initially terrorized us. Bravo to the author and the illustrator! I plan to give this book to my grandchildren.

[Mariana Llanos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tommy the Courageous Bird is a nice little bedtime story with a lesson. Tommy the bird is afraid to fly. With the help of his parents he finally learns how to take to the air but he is still afraid of heights. One day he meets with grandpa, also known as The General, a notable brave bird. He will teach Tommy the real meaning of courage and will help him overcome his fears. The book is the right length for a 4 to 8 years old audience that won’t sit through lengthy books. Well-written and beautifully illustrated, I find Tommy the Courageous Bird an enjoyable read to share with the family. To see my complete review go to www.marianallanosauthor.blogspot.com

[Cynthia Siemsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Read it to my girls the other day and they loved it! My older daughter understood the story and without spoiling it, she understood the idea of fear and courage. My younger daughter is only two but still sat and listened to the entire book-which she doesn't always do! Plus, the fear of heights is something many kids can relate to- this can be a wonderful book to help kids get through those common insecurities.

[Shelley Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the story line to help children deal with facing and overcoming fears. Ejoyed this very much. My grandchildren will love it too!

[Victor Castelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a little bias because I wrote the book but I really do think you'll love the moral of the story! It's a great kids story to share with every little one in your family.