The Year We Learned to Fly

The Year We Learned to Fly is a poetic, imaginative picture book about two Black siblings who feel stuck bored, angry, and cooped up and are encouraged by their grandmother to use the “beautiful and brilliant minds” that their ancestors taught them to imagine a way out. Through the act of imaginative flight, they find solace, healing, and connection.

The story weaves together family wisdom, cultural heritage, and the power of inner strength. It subtly references the tradition of telling stories about “flying” in African American folktales (e.g. The People Could Fly) as a metaphor for transcendence and freedom.

📘 Key Information

🎯 Target Audience & Suitability

• Best for ages 5–8 (kindergarten to early elementary)
• It works beautifully as a read-aloud thanks to its lyrical language, repetition, and evocative imagery.
• Also suitable for slightly older children who enjoy poetic, metaphorical stories, or for family reading where its deeper themes (heritage, resilience) can be discussed.