Review: Wings Within

Wings Within

Written by Franklin Hill, Ph.D.
Illustrated by Aries Cheung

I love the deep messages within every Illumination Arts book that I read.  This is what makes these books so special ... they have heart and lots of it!

The charming and old sea turtle Myrtle has great wisdom to share, but even wise ones have lessons to learn.  In this delightful book, Myrtle shares her thoughts and experiences with us, learning as she goes.
 

As Myrtle rests near the cove, her favorite place to sun bathe, she reflects on life and how it is always changing.  Day fades into night and winter melts into spring.  Acorns sprout into trees and tadpoles grow into frogs.  But in Myrtle's eyes the most beautiful and wonderful change of all is when a butterfly is born from a caterpillar.  It was at this moment of reflection that Myrtle decided that being a plain old turtle just would not do.  She wanted to be a butterfly too ... so she can fly like her best friend Anew. 

Myrtle begins thinking butterfly thoughts and even tries wiggling like a caterpillar, but nothing seems to work and she becomes frustrated and sad.  Taking some advice from her young friend Anew, Myrtle looks at herself a little differently, searching for the wings that are within her.

The lovely illustrations bring this timeless and inspirational story to life.  The animals and characters in the story have such emotion in their cute faces, such depth in their eyes and souls ... Myrtle looks so life like, I want to pet her and say hello.

Just as all creatures have Wings to set them free, so to do we. This book inspires readers to find their own Wings Within and discover what makes them unique.  The end of the book has a series of questions to help engage children in meaningful conversation about the book.  I love reading this book and usually read it once every month or two to the children.  It holds a powerful message - Be yourself, you are wonderful, special and unique.  Everything you want you must first look within to find it!  A+++

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