Flare

K-Gr 2-In the second title in this early reader series, readers meet a newly reborn phoenix who believes that he is too tough to cry. Flare's guardians, Cloud, Wind, and Sun, believe that the phoenix needs to "know about crying" and take turns showing him what it looks and sounds like. Cloud rains tears, and Wind wails, but Flare does not like being wet, hides from the sound, and insists that he will never cry. Finally, Sun leads him to a baby bird who is injured in a fall from its nest. Flare is so saddened by his inability to help the little creature that, in spite of himself, he begins to weep. When his magical tears fall on the bird's broken wing and Flare witnesses their healing powers, he learns that sometimes crying is a good thing, especially for a phoenix. Côté's illustrations, done in watercolor with digital accents, mirror the playful innocence of this tale. The message in George's tender story will resonate with young readers, who will likely ask for others in the series. This title will fit right into any early reader collection and may even spark curiosity in these mythical birds.-Lynn Van Auken, Oak Bluffs School, Oak Bluffs, MA (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A little phoenix gets in touch with his feelings. When Flare is born in a burst of flame, he, like all phoenixes, doesn't have parents. But Cloud, Wind and Sun watch over him, and he's a scrappy fellow who teaches himself how to fish and fly. When things go wrong, he sings a little song: "I am tough. / I am strong. / I do not cry." Sun, Wind and Cloud worry that Flare is perhaps a bit too tough for his own good and decide to coax him toward greater sensitivity. First Cloud models crying by raining, and then Wind wails and howls. Instead of being inspired to soften up a bit and shed some tears of his own, Flare is repelled. Then Sun shines a path through the forest, leading Flare to a baby bird that has fallen from its nest and hurt its wing. The little bird cries in pain, and empathy finally moves Flare to tears as well. In a happy twist, the little phoenix's tears magically heal the baby bird. While perhaps a bit heavy-handed (must Flare cry if he's really doing OK?), the text is accessible. Throughout, Ct's lively illustrations reinforce meaning from one brief chapter to the next, loose lines and broad swathes of color communicating energy and fun. A sweetly fantastic addition to the early-reader shelf. (Early reader. 6-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

One day a tiny phoenix was born. There was a big flame. Then a nest of ash. In the nest there was an egg. Out of the egg hatched a bird. A magical bird. His feathers were strong like the wind, soft like the clouds, and red and gold like the sun. He sang, "I am tough. I am strong. My name is Flare!" Excerpted from Flare by Kallie George All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.