My Dad’s a Birdman Audiobook

" Quirky and whimsical are two words that come to mind to describe this book. Little Lizzie is obviously worried about her dysfunctional father who hasn't showered or shaved or apparently done anything for a while, perhaps since her mother died. Her father is a skilled artist who once could make anything--and now all of a sudden the light of inspiration has visited him again, as he intends to enter the upcoming Great Human Bird Competition. This contest has drawn people from all over the world who must propel themselves over the river--somehow. Lizzie's dad has a brilliant plan (he thinks) and soon Lizzie is drawn into it too. The very British vernacular might confuse children, but the story itself is fairly child-appealing in a simplistic way and the art colorful and happy (and Quentin Blake-like), but adults won't be able to help cottoning to some of the more troubling issues that do not really become resolved by the end. Given Almond's previous literary forays into mental illness it is not surprising this book comes from him--it's just more playfully packaged. Also, echoes of Skellig might appear for some of us, with the bird references. "

" One Sentence Review: Generally Almond's delicate prose and complementary darkness can be alluring to me, but when he shoots particularly young (as he does here) it leaves the reader feeling a bit perturbed in the process. "

" This is a lovely, off-beat book about a girl and her father dealing with the grief of the loss of the mother/wife. If there is such a thing as poignant humor, this book has it. Polly Dunbar's illustrations are great-- she's the one who illustrated Here's a Little Poem. "

" I love David Almond's books because they usually combine some really serious heavy stuff with the wonder of childhood, and it is so true to life, I wonder how the author remembers all of those vivid feelings from childhood. That being said, I'm not really sure what to make of this book, his first for "younger readers." Polly Dunbar's illustrations are beautiful, and make the story seem really lighthearted and whimsical, but the delusional, bug-eating dad, dead mother, daugther on her own undercurrent made me uncomfortable -- if I were going to read this aloud to a young child, I would expect some questions and worry. Apart from the fact that the end of the story just doesn't mention all the real problems the family faces, and generally ends happily, the concerns are never really addressed. "

" J ALMOND - fantasy, grief, "

" I'd really give it 3 stars for the story & 5 stars for the art & design. "

" Another great David Almond book! "

" pretty good. it is very fictional though and is retty short. about a man who is half bird. "

" Just an easy read, and still engaging throughout. Loved it a lot. "

" Wow! Fantastical, funny, heartwarming/breaking, lovely ... Almond's Dahl-like story and Dunbar's illustrations combine magically. My pick for best Young Reader of 2008 so far! "

" This book is about a dad who wants to enter the flying bird competition and so the dad acts like a bird.his daughter Elizibeth enters with him but her crazy aunt trys to stop them! "

" Awwww kinda heart-warming tho completely bonkers. "

" The story as always is well told, I just prefer his darker eccentric characters. "

" A good book. Quirky, unusual, odd... but fun. What I really liked, though, were the Quentin Blake-esque illustrations. They were absolutely charming. "

" This story is a bit odd and Roald Dahl-ish with young Lizzie, after her mother's death, doesn't know whether to support, empathize or prevent her father, who thinks he's a birdman, from entering The Human Birdman Competition. "

" Cute children's book with clever names and a fun story. "

" Very fun and quirky! I have to admit that I have never read a David Almond book that I didn not like. "

" A metaphor with dialogue in the cockney accent. It's about much more than entering a human bird contest. It's about togetherness and finding happiness when you're lost inside the pit of grief. Cute short novel from an odd bird author. "

" I just found this creepy and odd - couldn't get into it and can't imagine who I'd recommend it to.... "

" This story is a bit odd and Roald Dahl-ish with young Lizzie, after her mother's death, doesn't know whether to support, empathize or prevent her father, who thinks he's a birdman, from entering The Human Birdman Competition. "

" pretty good. it is very fictional though and is retty short. about a man who is half bird. "

" Very fun and quirky! I have to admit that I have never read a David Almond book that I didn not like. "

" This book is about a dad who wants to enter the flying bird competition and so the dad acts like a bird.his daughter Elizibeth enters with him but her crazy aunt trys to stop them! "

" I just found this creepy and odd - couldn't get into it and can't imagine who I'd recommend it to.... "

" A good book. Quirky, unusual, odd... but fun. What I really liked, though, were the Quentin Blake-esque illustrations. They were absolutely charming. "

" This is a lovely, off-beat book about a girl and her father dealing with the grief of the loss of the mother/wife. If there is such a thing as poignant humor, this book has it. Polly Dunbar's illustrations are great-- she's the one who illustrated Here's a Little Poem. "

" This is a beautiful book. It is a beautiful story, with beautiful writing, beautiful pictures, and a beautiful heart. In a totally real and non-cheap way. You'll like it! David Almond is a winner! :) "