Little Puffling watches the other birds soaring high above the cliffs as they prepare to fly away in the autumn and worries if he will ever be ready to join them.

But Puffling’s mummy takes him on an adventure to see how all the other young animals take their first steps – from seals and otters to orcas and deer – during which he gains confidence to make his first flight, sure in the knowledge there is always someone there to help him on the way.

Shortlisted for the Stockport Children's Book Awards 2026

Prizes

Short-listed for Stockport Children's Book Awards Best Picture Book 2026

Frances Stickley is a bestselling children’s author who has written for Bloomsbury and Nosy Crow.  Her books include Brian the Lion Who Learned, Mummy’s Special Day, Daisy's Dragons and What Will You Dream of Tonight? She lives in Nottinghamshire.

Jo Weaver is an illustrator based in East Lothian whose work has been published by Hodder, OUP, Walker and many other publishers. She has won numerous awards, including the Margaret Mallett Award for Children’s Non-fiction in 2023 for Narwhal.