cover image Redbird

Redbird

Patrick Fort. Orchard Books (NY), $21.95 (20pp) ISBN 978-0-531-05746-9

Redbird, an airplane, has requested permission to land, but the control tower denies the requestthere is too much turbulence. As Redbird waits for the weather to clear, it meets another airplane called Old Rascal, some ducks and a kite. Finally it is cleared to land. Readers can not only see Redbird and read the glossary that accompanies each illustration (labeling parts of the plane and other facets of the pictures), but also feel the raised pictures. The labels and the text are in Braille type, allowing beginning readers to experience a different perspective on ways to enjoy a book. The illustrations, in relief, are bright, colorful and simple, adding punch to an already unusual book about a spunky plane. This is highly recommended; it expands sighted children's concepts of reading and vision and offers blind children a quality beginning book, while at the same time presenting these ideas in an accessible manner. Ages 3-10. (August)