• Age: 4 to 6
• Grade: p to 1

For her birthday, Jenny hopes to receive the beautiful kite she has seen at the local store. She opens a kite-shaped package at breakfast, hiding her disappointment when she sees that the gift is her father's lovingly homemade creation.

Eager to see how it works, he encourages a trip outside and begins to show his daughter how to maneuver the toy. First, second, and third tries fail to keep it elevated even as he teaches her about adding bows to the tail for balance. Jenny gathers wool and paper scraps from neighbors, adding several bows at a time and feeling more hopeful as the kite lifts with better ease on each attempt.

Finally, on the fourth try, the kite lifts, climbs, and soars in the sky to the delight of all, with Jenny declaring that this one is "the most beautiful kite in the world."

Spalding has taken a theme of expectation and disappointment and written a scenario plausibly demonstrating patience and perseverance.

Andrea Spalding is a prolific writer for children.
Born in the industrial city of Manchester England, she trained as a teacher. Then, with husband David, Andrea immigrated to Canada in 1967. After living in Alberta for 24 years, Andrea and David relocated to British Columbia and live on Pender Island, one of Canada's Southern Gulf Islands.
Canadian life proved to be rich and varied. Curiosity about her chosen country compelled Andrea to listen to other Canadian immigrants who shared tales that later became her folktale book, A World of Stories.
A love of the outdoors prompted her and David to take their family and travel quintessential Canada. They've skated on frozen lakes, worked on dinosaur digs, and panned for Yukon gold. Andrea has whale-watched on both coasts, enjoyed vineyards and theatre festivals on the Niagara Peninsula, and tapped her feet in Toronto jazz clubs. A highlight West Coast experience was assisting in the carving an Aboriginal Honour Pole with Tsimshian master carver Victor Reece. These experiences provided background for her stories.
Andrea's first children's book, The Most Beautiful Kite In The World, was selected as a Canadian Children's Book Center's "Our Choice." She has garnered awards and nominations ever since. Her fantasy novels - The Summer of Magic Quartet - are avidly read by both children and adults. Her picturebook, Secret of the Dance, is her 30th. Written with Aboriginal Elder Alfred Scow, it has gained accolades from both the aboriginal and white communities.
Andrea gives school presentations across the country, and also teaches writing workshops, and in-service presentations to teachers, librarians, and any one interested in her passion for Children's Literature.

Visit Andrea's website at www.andreaspalding.com.

Andrea Spalding's profile page

"Spalding has taken a theme of expectation and disappointment and written a scenario plausibly demonstrating patience and perseverance. Watt's realistic illustrations in toned-down colors express emotions through the characters' faces and body postures, particularly Jenny's. Gentle and perceptive."
— School Library Journal