Official Review: Peter and the Parachute

[ALynnPowers]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Peter and the Parachute" by Nicola Ridgeway and James Manning.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Peter and the Parachute is a children's book by Nicola Ridgeway and James Manning that tells the story of a golden eagle named Peter. Peter has shed his baby feathers and knows that it will soon be time for him to leave the nest. However, Peter is worried; he doesn't know how to fly, and he is not sure if he will be able to when the time comes. For safety, Peter dons a parachute to protect him so that he will not get hurt. Though he is scared of what is yet to come in his future, he receives visits from several other golden eagles who give him words of encouragement for what it means to be an eagle, confident and capable of flying out of the nest.

This short chapter book is accompanied by the illustrations of Irena Urosevic and is best suited for young children (age 6-9) who are a bit frightened of taking risks. The chapters are short, no more than a couple of pages each, with large print and wide-spacing to make for easier reading. The pictures of Peter wearing a parachute strapped to his back are unique and absolutely adorable.

The symbolic message within this story is one that we are all familiar with, and you can probably guess how the story will end. It's a typical coming-of-age story that demonstrates to children that they have to take risks and do things on their own without their parents' help. Children who have difficulties with self-confidence will easily relate to young Peter, who has cleverly come up with a solution to his problem. His parachute serves as a sort of comfort object, like a binky or security blanket, which can provide an additional message about needing to let go of things that make us feel safe in order to properly experience the world around us.

Overall, I give this book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. It's definitely a cute read that would be a good tool to use for helping a child develop self-confidence skills and overcome risk-aversion. However, I just found it a little bit too predictable and cliché to give it a perfect rating.

There are lots of other books out there about birds leaving the nest, and the parachute in this one is really the only thing that makes it unique. If a little bit more of the story had been about the parachute and less about Peter's ability to fly out of the nest, I probably would have found it a bit more entertaining and unique. It's not going to cure a child's low self-confidence, but I would still recommend the book for parents or therapists who are looking for another tool for providing examples of how being confident can be fun and enjoyable.

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Peter and the Parachute
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[JKO]

I think it is important for every child's book to have an underlying lesson to teach. This book doesn't disappoint. It also has clear illustrations to aid reading. Great stuff! Excellent review.

[Ngozi Onyibor]

I like the book's message. Though it's not unique, it encourages outside the box thinking and I like that.

[Adanna Inya]

Where did Peter get a parachute from? Hahaha. The message is a timely one for growing children.

[Mrunalpatki]

Seems like a good book to read to my kid. Children's books in my opinion is a difficult genre to review. But you have done such an excellent job with your all-round review highlighting the positives and the negatives. Interesting review. Great work!

[Nujudee]

Wow. Your review was definitely impressive and explicit.
Best recommended for kids. Thank you!

[Sunshinedebbie]

I think the message given in this short description is great it’s teaching to fly of their own wings and to have confidence in their own instincts.

[booksandmagicshop]

Sounds like a cute story to encourage kids to take risks. The cover also makes the book seem like the illustrations would be quite fun for the kids too. It would make a great beginner's chapter book.

[tjportugal]

Overall, I give this book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. It's definitely a cute read that would be a good tool to use for helping a child develop self-confidence skills and overcome risk-aversion. However, I just found it a little bit too predictable and cliché to give it a perfect rating.

I have to disagree with you. From a young child's perspective, nothing is predictable or cliché in a book.

I gave this book 4 out of 4 stars and don't regret it at all.

[Harty]

I like the lesson of encouragement the book instills to kids and anything is possible. Thanks for the wonderful review.