Earnest Sandpiper’s Great Ascent

Gentle text and whimsical, sea-bright illustrations encourage wary fledglings to achieve the impossible, all in their own good time.

“Breathe . . . try . . . jump . . . FLY!”

With trademark energy and warmth, acclaimed creator Timothy Basil Ering delivers another picture book hero for young children to root for and relate to. The time has come for three young sandpipers to soar, but Earnest seems tied to the ground. He has wings and tail feathers just like his brother and sister; what makes him so afraid? Magic will happen, Mom promises, when he’s ready. But no matter how much she and Dad coach him or his siblings cheer him on, Earnest’s efforts only lead him into danger. Perhaps, with his family’s support and a little trust in himself, they’ll lead him out again.

Timothy Basil Ering is the illustrator of the Newbery Medal winner The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo as well as Walrus Song by Janet Lawler, Finn Throws a Fit! by David Elliott, and Snook Alone by Marilyn Nelson. He is also the author-illustrator of The Story of Frog Belly Rat Bone, Necks Out for Adventure!, The Almost Fearless Hamilton Squidlegger, and The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling. Timothy Basil Ering lives in Kingston, Massachusetts.