MY DAD’S A BIRDMAN
By David Almond
Illustrated by Polly Dunbar
Candlewick, 2008
Category: Middle Grade Fiction
I’ve said it before, but I love meandering through the library stacks, judging books by their covers. Just last week I came upon MY DAD’S A BIRDMAN and was taken in by the title, the jacket art, the cover beneath the jacket. It is a gorgeous little package and there was simply no way to leave without it.
Reading the book felt the same way. One glimpse into Lizzie’s world and I was hooked: Lizzie’s dad, whose sadness is barely hinted at in words and pictures; Auntie Doreen, who just doesn’t understand sadness that cannot be cured with dumplings; and Lizzie herself, who loves her dad enough to don wings and fly. I thought the book was a Dahl-esque little masterpiece of oddness and irresistibility and I highly recommend it. In fact, I have been told by a certain kidoodle in this house that I should read it again … out loud.