Official Review: The Bird Ride by Wade W. Bergner
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- AvidBibliophile
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Official Review: The Bird Ride by Wade W. Bergner
When a little boy named Wade receives a surprise visit from a backyard bird, he is taken on an unforgettable flight through the skies above his town. He must first undergo a size adjustment, so as his stature shrinks, he becomes miniaturized enough to fit on the shoulders of the aforementioned bird. The two seem to share a telepathic connection of calm understanding, and Wade’s fear of potentially falling quickly subsides. As he begins to absorb and interpret things from an aerial perspective, he uses his newfound “bird’s-eye view” to make some enlightened observations about different people and their displayed levels of happiness. Children and elementary schools seem to radiate rainbow-colored auras, while the adults, factories, and office buildings seem grimly dim in comparison.
He has always treasured a keepsake rock from his father, a rock that reminds him to carry daily GRATITUDE. Once he pairs that special stone with a feathered memento from his new avian friend, he experiences a moment of clarity that bestows upon him a special knowledge worth sharing. He remains driven by dreams of world travel, but his truest purpose in life becomes clear. The Bird Ride by Wade W. Bergner is a children’s book about a soaring quest of spiritual enlightenment. Deep breathing, mindfulness, unconditional love, and conscious awareness all come into play as the story unfolds.
The story is 21 pages long and includes 9 full-page, colored illustrations. The text is sufficiently complemented by the accompanying depictions, and since I read and reviewed a hardcover copy of this book, I can also say that the cover art and illustrations by Galia Labowitz are visually captivating in print form. I only encountered a handful of grammatical and typographical errors while reading, and since they did not affect my overall enjoyment of the book, there was nothing I notably disliked about the story.
I really enjoyed seeing a surprise section of Discussion Questions at the end, and they presented some very thought-provoking queries. As a former psychiatrist, I can say that emotional development in children is a critically important aspect of strong mental health. By prompting kids to self-reflect, adults often become privy to certain mindsets and thought patterns that they were previously unaware of. Asking kids what makes them sad will potentially reveal further topics worth exploring. There is also a final section that includes A Note to Parents and Teachers. It touches on the deleterious effects of fear, failure, and fierce competition among peers.
I think this book would be most appropriate for children between the ages of five and eight, especially those who have caretakers or parents with transcendentalist tendencies. Having an adult reader present would really help younger readers solidify some of the deeper meanings of the material. This title does have a lesson of self-actualization at its core. The main character’s nickname is “Kid Rock,” and I do believe that young minds would be able to appreciate the fanciful mysticism of such a high-flying tale! It reminded me of the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids movie franchise that I loved so much as a child.
I can gladly award The Bird Ride a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. The plot is straightforward, the text is engaging, and the ending provides an adequate conclusion. It is the first book in Bergner’s Emotional Agility Matters series, and I feel that it possesses the potential to uplift spirits and open minds. It instills a sense of purposeful awareness, while also promoting the benefits of a positive attitude and strong self-worth.
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The Bird Ride
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- Sakura5
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It was a unique and open-minded story for sure. Although fanciful and magical in some respects, it still succeeded in expressing a message of non-judgmental love for all. I’d be interested to see what other readers think of the story as a whole! I greatly appreciate your kind feedback.
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Having an older reading buddy present might really help this one hit the intended mark, but any child could enjoy the feathers and illustrations and smiling faces and rainbows! Some dreams and stories of make-believe can give young minds the encouragement and freedom to make their own interpretations about the world around them, so I think this author and story succeeded in doing just that. Thank you for your supportive comment!RetiredOBNurse wrote: ↑17 May 2021, 15:12 The book sounds delightful! How fun to fly on the shoulders of a bird friend and view the surroundings in a whole different way. I too believe the story would benefit the child best through the voice of a parent or caregiver as any concerns could be addressed or questionable issues answered. An excellent review by the way!
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Oh for sure! Profound moments of clarity often find us when we least expect it, and Wade’s bluebird guide certainly gave him a glimpse of what’s most important in life. Kids and pets can remind us that true happiness is still attainable, if we just take the time to look for it. Thank you for coming by!Booklover Becca wrote: ↑17 May 2021, 16:44 What a great adventure Wade goes on! He sounds like he’s made some profound discoveries within such a short book. Thanks for the wonderful review
- Josephe-Anne
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Thank you for another excellent review and for sharing your expertise with us.
― Horace Mann
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Thank you so much for your kind words of feedback! This one definitely succeeded at sharing a universal message in a way that even young minds would be able to grasp. And who wouldn’t want to take to the skies on the wings of a wise and feathered pilot?! 🕊Josephe-Anne wrote: ↑17 May 2021, 22:28 I find it interesting that a children's book would cover spiritual topics usually reserved for teenagers and adults. But it seems to work with this story. I love birds and cute illustrations, so maybe I will have a look at this.
Thank you for another excellent review and for sharing your expertise with us.
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You make an excellent point! Children benefit the most from life lessons that are presented in appealing and memorable ways. This book did just that. Thank you for the positive comment!markodim721 wrote: ↑18 May 2021, 16:16 I like that important life lessons were given to the children in a beautiful and appropriate form. Thanks for the good review.
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Emotional needs take center stage in this one! Readers will be flying high with self-reflective encouragement. Thank you for the kind words of support!
- AvidBibliophile
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I agree with you there. I think any kid would love the thought of shrinking in size to fly through the skies! Enjoyable learning is the very best kind.