Fly Danny, Fly ~ Mom's Choice Gold Award Recipient
"When pigs fly" is a figure of speech describing the likelihood of a feat that's probably impossible to pull off. That's what an adult would say, anyway. But ask a kid what the phrase means. A child may equate the phrase to another popular quote, "If you can dream it, you can do it." (Thank you, Walt Disney, for imparting upon our children that anything is possible; that includes pigs that can fly.) As kids, we have Disney-sized dreams of what we will be when we grow up and what we will accomplish along the seemingly endless path to adulthood. Yet, too often when we achieve that lofty "grown-up" status, we become grounded. We lose our belief that anything is possible. When we lose belief, we lose the courage to even try. The first time through the children's book "Fly Danny, Fly," I thought it was a simple pig tale about a boy and his imaginary flying pig friend. Upon finishing, however, I realized a much deeper message. The ambitious pig is not an invisible friend, but more of a super hero. Not in the Superman sense, but instead, a supreme hero for the way he broadens the boy's imagination and belief that anything is possible. If you dream it, you can do it. That belief only broadens when the boy discovers life is also about opening your mind to the world as others see it and pushing the boundaries of your own imagination in the process. Big message here, pigs CAN fly, all they need is a short runway, a little speed, and the buoyancy they get from believing. That's all any of us need when reaching for our dreams. Having loved ones to lift us also helps. This message may be missed on the littlest of listeners, but young readers will take it to heart. So will adults. Rhyme and whimsy will keep kids' attention. For adults, the reasoning behind the rhyme will linger long after story time. A portion of the proceeds of the book go to The Danny Did Foundation. 4 year old Danny Stanton died in his sleep on December 12, 2009 from SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy.) Danny's parents created the foundation to increase awareness and to promote the development and use of seizure detection and prevention devices. --Kristen Maetzold --Columbus Parent"Written in gentle rhyming verse and complimented by beautiful clear illustrations Fly Danny, Fly is dedicated to a lively, imaginative little boy, Danny Stanton, who died through epilepsy. In this thoughtful story we accompany a sensitive boy as he contemplates his imagination. We meet on the journey with his friend, a flying pig, and with new kindred spirits who affirm his companion. Together they joyfully remind us to believe in our dreams and to allow others to do the same in their own way. Fly Danny, Fly is a delightful uplifting story which will be enjoyed by children from three to ninety-nine." --Pauline Brockett ~ Librarian, Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria.As a teacher of 30 years, I have seen, first hand, which books kids "wake up to." Fly Danny Fly is definitely one of those rare and wonderful books. It pulls kids in. It lights kids up and reminds them of what matters most. Please put this books into the arms of those you love. It will propel them deeper into themselves and their purpose/s here on earth. This book reaches audiences of diverse ages, cultures, and dreams. It speaks loudly, while reaching broadly. --Cindy Berglund-Payette Boyum ~ 4th grade teacher Eagan, MNFly Danny, Fly is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; and Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of the Mom's Choice Awards. Parents and educators look for the Mom s Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book/product has been honored by this distinguished award. --Mom's Choice Awards