The Fly Who Flew to the North Pole

Flynn the Fly’s friend, Rio, is a reindeer who dreams of returning to the North Pole and joining Santa’s sleigh team. One day, his dream becomes a reality, and Flynn accompanies him. Rio must pass a navigation test to join the sleigh team. Coached by Flynn, Rio learns to navigate using landmarks and acronyms. Flynn narrates most of the story, succinctly explaining compass points, coordinates, and acronyms in an accessible manner with a touch of wit. Conversations with Santa, the elves, and a few reindeer keep the story moving briskly to the conclusion. Friendship and overcoming learning differences are emphasized throughout the tale.

Raleigh Stewart’s brightly colored, expressive, animated-style illustrations pop off the page in full- and double-page spreads, with a couple of pages using panels to show Rio and Flynn’s journey through the North Pole. Care has been given to the presentation: the elves have different skin tones, and the arctic wildlife are drawn accurately. Only Flynn is cartoonish: with a big-eyed bug head, human body, wings, and street clothes, she looks more like a school mascot than a common house fly. Luckily, the role of Flynn as star of the piece spares further judgement!

The last page provides informational paragraphs, accompanied by a small drawing, on arctic life and navigation. Fans of Robert May’s Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Lisa Scott’s Narwhal’s True Christmas Wish will enjoy this story of holidays and friendship.