Monty Goes South

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

Autumn is fast approaching and the Canada geese are getting ready to fly
south—all of them, that is, except Monty, who is afraid of flying. At
first Monty’s friends just ridicule him, until they realize that Monty
is seriously frightened. Taking time out from their busy preparations,
they gather around him to help. One suggests that he drive south, but
Monty doesn’t have a driver’s licence. Another suggests that he ride
south on his skateboard, but Monty knows it is too far to go on a
skateboard. Desperate to overcome his fear of heights, Monty tries
therapy and hypnotism but the results are disastrous. Time is running
out and Monty knows he may be doomed to staying behind unless he can
find a way to go south.

“Fly your own way” is the official motto quoted at the beginning of
this humorous book. Marc Tetro has carved out a sizable niche for
himself with his distinctive naive illustration style. His story line
displays the same kind of broad humor that appeals to all ages. The
book’s only drawback is that the text is handwritten in an awkward
flowing style that may exclude readers who have mastered only type; if
Tetro’s young readers are half as stubborn as Monty, they will not
appreciate being left behind. Recommended.