“Simon is a loveable, clumsy young Canada goose who trips over his feet when first learning to fly.” One thing leads to the next, and soon Simon believes the other geese who tell him he’s not only clumsy but also unwanted. Rejected, he learns flying skills by watching the lessons from a distance, and he practices diligently on his own. Then disaster strikes. Instead of focussing on his own inadequacy, Simon concentrates on the needs of another. Not only does he show remarkable courage and fortitude, but he also discovers that his feet are perfectly normal…and that he is, too.
This lovely picture book not only discusses feelings of inadequacy but also directly addresses them in its format. Each page has a key section of the story printed in bold brown letters. A beginning reader can thus focus on reading just these parts of the story while an older person reads the rest aloud.
The interactive DVD contains an animated picture book. Words light up as they are read, accompanied by animated illustrations. Non-readers can enjoy the movie without the words.
After many years as a teacher and school administrator, author Angela Narth feels compassion for children who accept other’s negative views of them. Simon overcomes his own feelings of helplessness by working hard and being strong for someone else… and so can the children who read the story.
Simon with Two Left Feet has won the Mom’s Choice Award and the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, and was short-listed for the 2002 McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award.
This book would be great for early readers, children who are bullied or put down, anyone who enjoys a good story, and all who believe that one builds self-esteem by helping others. It would make a lovely Christmas or birthday present, especially at the current holiday sale price available from the publishers, Gwev Publishing.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Angela Narth and Gwev Publishing in order to share my honest opinion with you.
For more great read aloud titles see Read Aloud Thursday.
This sounds like a lovely story that focuses on the best way to overcome our perceived inadequacies–by helping others! It reminds me a little of The Trumpet of the Swan.
Thanks so much for linking up!