Born to Move! Peepsqueak by Leslie Ann Clark

ONE SUNNY DAY PEEPSQUEAK POPPED OUT OF HIS SHELL.

ALL THE OTHER BABY CHECKS WERE STRETCHING AND YAWNING.

BUT NOT PEEPSQUEAK.

BECAUSE WHY?

HE WAS ON THE MOVE!

Peepsqueak is born to move! While the other hatchlings are working on peeping and pecking, he's already thinking about trying his little wings in flight.

"YOU CAN'T FLY!" mooed Big Brown Cow.

But Peep perseveres, simply by ignoring all the nay-sayers in the barnyard. He just knows he can fly if he can only find the perfect launching pad. How about that nice round hill ahead? A tower of obliging chicks, standing precariously on each other's shoulders? That big rock?

But all of Peepsqueak's attempts at lift-off end with a flop! in the grass. But someone understands.

"DON'T YOU CRY, LITTLE GUY!" SAID OLD GRAY GOOSE, AS HE LIFTED PEEPSQUEAK UP.

Old Gray Goose gives Peep a thrilling ride over the farm on his broad, strong back, and Peep is happy--but not yet satisfied. As soon as he alights back on the landing pad, he remembers that enticing pond he saw from the air, and heads straight for the water.

"PEEPSQUEAK! YOU CAN'T SWIM!" SHOUTED ALL HIS FRIENDS.

But where there's a will, there's a way in Leslie Ann Clark's debut picture book, Peepsqueak! (Harper 2012), in her tribute to persevering poultry and springtime enthusiasm. Repetitive text and irresistible illustrations of a young hero who can't say can't will make this one take off as a spring storytime treat for preschoolers.