Flyways

FLYWAYS is a playful depiction of birds in their natural environment with onomatopoeic renditions of their calls and cries, accompanied by sounds of rushing water, raindrops, and the buzzing of insects. The children are able to see the birds and their environment through the watercolor paintings, and learn what the birds and nature might sound like.

Different fonts, colors, and unique emphases on the sounds are a fun aid to reading the book, FLYWAYS. Opposite each illustrated page is a glossary which lists unusual words or expressions. In the bottom right corner is a watercolor study of a child absorbing the sights and sounds of nature. A roaming butterfly on the glossary page guides the child to explore the definitions.

The illustration concept in FLYWAYS was derived from DeAnn Melton's large oil paintings of Blue Heron, Sandhill Crane, Reddish Egret, Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swan, Eagles, Peregrine Falcon, and other large birds. The birds and children in FLYWAYS were painted in watercolor.

As a child DeAnn had difficulty hearing and was in speech therapy during elementary school. The basic premise of this book crept into her thoughts while remembering the sessions watching the therapist form words then trying to repeat them. Her painting website is deannmelton.com.