This reassuring story is about bolstering self-esteem and doing things at one's own pace; would that everyone were surrounded by the encouraging support and love Earnest enjoys. The colorful charcoal, ink, and acrylic illustrations are cheerful and expressive. The empowering message here: It's OK to take your own sweet time, so just believe in yourself. --Kirkus Reviews In this heartfelt story about overcoming fear, two young sandpipers, coached by their parents ("BREATHE. TRY. JUMP. FLY!"), take off, legs trailing, into a rose-tinted sky. Naturalistic paintings by Ering ( Walrus Song ) portray Earnest's anxious expression as he wrestles with the shiny, artificial object, so different from sand and sky.

The stray balloon, an afterword explains, poses dangers to wildlife, giving this story a double theme of belief in oneself and care for the environment. --Publishers Weekly.