I liked this book for one main reason. This reason is that this book pushed me as a reader to think about the tough topic of disabilities and the many different perspectives surrounding it. I always like to expand my horizons and view topics from different perspectives. Reading about this young boy’s journey to learn how to love himself despite first hating himself for his disability brought a smile to my face. There is one quote in particular that stood out to me which was, “You can be a flyer too, Desplumado. There’s more than one way to fly!” (p 30). This quote had depth beyond what I could have imagined in a children’s book as it showed the readers that they can do anything even when society or their own personal handicaps tell them that they cant. ( )

This story is about a boy with spina bifida who moves to a new school. His father gives him a featherless bird as a companion. In school, overtime his schoolmates start to include him in playing soccer and by the end he is on the team.
Ages: 5-7
Source: Teaching Strategies Gold Boxed Curriculum

There were two things that I liked most about this book ( )

Tomasito has spina bifida and is in a wheelchair. He compares himself to his featherless pet bird. He learns that he can feel free when he is on the soccer field.