The Year We Learned to Fly
What’s inside...
Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López’s highly anticipated companion to their #1 New York Times bestseller The Day You Begin illuminates the power in each of us to face challenges with confidence. On a dreary, stuck-inside kind of day, a brother and sister heed their grandmother’s advice: 'Use those beautiful and brilliant minds of yours. Lift your arms, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and believe in a thing. Somebody somewhere at some point was just as bored you are now.' And before they know it, their imaginations lift them up and out of their boredom. Then, on a day full of quarrels, it’s time for a trip outside their minds again, and they are able to leave their anger behind. This precious skill, their grandmother tells them, harkens back to the days long before they were born, when their ancestors showed the world the strength and resilience of their beautiful and brilliant minds. Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael Lopez’s dazzling art celebrate the extraordinary ability to lift ourselves up and imagine a better world.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters in the book use their imagination to overcome challenges?
What do you think it means to 'learn to fly' in the context of this story?
Can you think of a time when you felt stuck like the characters, and what helped you feel better?
What new ideas would you try if you could use your imagination like the characters did?
How do the different seasons affect the characters' adventures and their feelings?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences to those of the characters, fostering a deeper personal connection to the story. Discuss the book's illustrations and how they enhance the narrative, prompting your child to observe and interpret visual cues. Praise creative thinking and resilience as demonstrated in the book to reinforce these values in your child. Utilize the changing seasons depicted in the story to discuss change and growth, both in nature and personally. Above all, enjoy the shared journey through the story, allowing your child to express feelings and thoughts freely.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of imagination
Explanation: In 'The Year We Learned to Fly', the protagonists use their imagination to lift themselves above difficult situations, inspired by their grandmother's teachings.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by using their imagination to cope with and overcome challenges they face, enhancing problem-solving and emotional resilience.
Example Lesson: Embracing heritage and wisdom of elders
Explanation: The story highlights the importance of family stories and the wisdom passed on by older generations, as the children utilize their grandmother's lessons.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to value and draw upon the wisdom of their elders, strengthening family bonds and understanding of their own cultural heritage.
Example Lesson: Overcoming obstacles with a positive mindset
Explanation: The narrative demonstrates how maintaining a hopeful and positive outlook can significantly impact one's ability to deal with difficulties.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of attitude in adversity, encouraging them to remain optimistic and proactive in tough times.