> Skip to content
  • Published: 6 August 2019
  • ISBN: 9781760892562
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $24.99

Fly



Fly is a beautiful story of determination no matter the odds, and love in the face of loss.

Lucy had always been good at fixing things, and Dad needed a bit of help. It was just the two of them after all.
So when Lucy finds a bird with a broken wing, she’s sure she can fix him too. But not everything that’s broken can be fixed.

  • Published: 6 August 2019
  • ISBN: 9781760892562
  • Imprint: Puffin
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 32
  • RRP: $24.99

About the author

Jess McGeachin

Jess McGeachin is a writer/illustrator/designer based in Melbourne. He loves telling stories about hidden worlds just outside our own, and hiding clues in them for small eyes to find. Drawing on a love of natural history (and a day job at Melbourne Museum), Jess hopes that his stories inspire the reader to explore both real and imaginary places and meet the characters that live in them.

http://www.jessmcgeachin.com/about/
https://drawthemoon.com/about

Also by Jess McGeachin

See all

Praise for Fly

A beautifully understated and moving story . . . this book makes the heart soar.

Dr Stephanie Owen Reeder, the Canberra Times

Delightful...

the Herald Sun

A . . . charming story of ingenuity, caring and the acceptance of loss. What a glorious surprise!

Magpies magazine

This is a touching story of a girl with a sense of caring and a longing to set right that which is lost and broken, but finally accepting her Dad’s wise counsel that “some things just can’t be fixed”. . . The illustrations are detailed and expansive colourful paintings which add the context of a rural, domestic backdrop, with lush green hills and open blue sky. Illustrations also depict Lucy and her Dad’s closeness and warm interactions, as well as her imagined plane flight. On one level, this book is an amusing story of imagination, with added interesting references to pioneering aviation and bird watching, accompanied by beautiful illustrations that add a pleasurable element to the book. But there’s another, subtle layer about coming to terms with loss and grief.

Barbara Swartz, Reading Time

Jess McGeachin's debut picture book, Fly, will leave you breathless as he weaves a tale that is engaging, exhilarating and memorable. Take the time to look at the deeper message not only in the words but also in the images and colours he has woven into the illustrations, creating a poignant story . . . Fly will help guide readers to a place of understanding, that while we cannot fix everything that is broken, there are people (or even animals) who will help you and like the seasons, life continues to move forward.

Leanne Barrett, Kids' Book Review

A gentle effective presentation of grieving and moving on.

Kirkus

Awards & recognition

CBCA Book of the Year

Shortlisted  •  2020  •  CBCA Award for New Illustrator

Queensland Literary Awards

Shortlisted  •  2020  •  Griffith University Children's Book Award

Discover more

Video
Fly by Jess McGeachin

Fly is a beautiful story of determination no matter the odds, and love in the face of loss. Lucy had always been good at fixing things, and Dad needed a bit of help. It was just the two of them after all. So when Lucy finds a bird with a broken wing, she’s sure she can fix him too. But not everything that’s broken can be fixed.

Article
Fly activity pack

Take flight with Lucy with this fun activity pack