Looking for meaningful ways to read Made to Fly Free with your children? Here are simple ideas for read-aloud time, nature study, bedtime conversations, and creative activities.

Some books are read once and placed back on the shelf.

Others become part of family life. They show up in the read-aloud basket, get requested again at bedtime, and spark conversations that linger after the last page.

When I wrote Made to Fly Free, I hoped it would be the second kind.

The kind of book that invites children to ask questions and gives parents a natural moment to talk about courage, waiting, and trusting God’s timing.

Many families have already begun reserving their copies for summer read-aloud time, which has been such an encouragement to see.

The illustrations were created by Hannah Bird, whose calm and gentle style brings Little Peep’s world to life in such a beautiful way.

That’s why I created a companion Pathfinder Story Guide, which families can download using the QR code in the back of the book.

It’s filled with simple ways to explore the story together—conversation prompts, nature connections, and hands-on activities children can enjoy as they learn.

Think of it as a little trail map to help your family slow down, reflect, and enjoy the story together.

Here are a few simple ways families and grandparents can use Made to Fly Free at home.

1. A Meaningful Family Read-Aloud

One of the simplest ways to use this book is reading it aloud together.

Picture books have a way of opening doors to conversation that normal daily moments sometimes miss. Children notice things we overlook. They ask thoughtful questions and connect the story to their own lives.

After reading, try asking a simple question like:

• “Why do you think Little Peep had to wait before he could fly?”
• “Have you ever felt nervous to try something new?”

The Story Guide includes conversation prompts to help families reflect together after reading.

You don’t need a long lesson. Just a few minutes of conversation can plant meaningful seeds.

2. A Bedtime Reflection

Bedtime is often when children open up the most.

After reading Made to Fly Free, you might talk about one simple idea:

• Waiting
• Courage
• Trusting God’s timing

The Story Guide even includes a short prayer that families can pray together, asking God for courage and trust as we grow.

Moments like these don’t have to feel formal. Sometimes it’s simply:

A story.

A question.

A short prayer before sleep.

3. A Simple Nature Study

Many homeschooling families already enjoy observing the natural world together.

Made to Fly Free pairs naturally with a simple bird or nature study, especially if your children are curious about how birds grow.

Inside the Pathfinder Story Guide, children can explore the stages of a robin’s life from egg all the way to a fully grown bird.

One activity invites children to cut out and arrange the five stages of a robin’s growth in the correct order.

My illustrator, Hannah Bird, drew each stage of the robin’s life—from egg to hatchling, nestling, fledgling, and adult—so children can see the progression visually as they learn.

Kids can color the illustrations, cut them out, and paste them in sequence as they talk about how birds grow and eventually learn to fly.

It’s a simple activity, but it helps children connect the story of Little Peep to the real world God created.

You might even pair it with:

• Watching birds in your backyard
• Looking for nests during a walk
• Talking about how God designed birds to grow step by step

Stories like this can become a beautiful bridge between learning, faith, and wonder.

4. A Conversation About Identity

One of the deeper themes in Made to Fly Free is that Little Peep was created for a purpose.

He was made to fly.

Children are constantly hearing messages from the world about who they should be.

Stories give parents a chance to remind them of something better.

God created them intentionally. He is growing them in His timing, and their lives have purpose.

The Story Guide includes faith reflection questions that help families talk about what it means for us to live free in Christ.

These conversations don’t have to be heavy. Sometimes the most meaningful moments happen through simple stories.

5. A Creative Activity

Sometimes the best way for children to remember a story is to create something from it.

The Pathfinder Story Guide includes several simple activities families can enjoy together, like coloring pages, puzzles, and hands-on projects.

One of my favorites is the “Craft Your Own Little Peep” activity.

My illustrator, Hannah Bird, actually drew the different parts of Little Peep so children can make their own movable bird.

Here’s how it works:

• Print the pages on cardstock
• Color Little Peep
• Carefully cut out the pieces
• Use small brads to attach the wings and legs

When it’s finished, children have their own Little Peep with movable wings, ready to “fly.”

It’s a simple craft, but it gives kids a chance to slow down, interact with the story, and enjoy the illustrations in a new way.

It’s been fun watching Hannah’s illustrations come to life not just in the story, but in activities children can interact with long after the last page is read.

6. A Sweet Summer Reading Memory

Summer reading doesn’t have to feel like a school assignment.

It can look like:

• Reading outside on a blanket
• Building a “bird nest” out of pillows
• Coloring pages together
• Doing simple crafts related to the story

The Story Guide includes fun activities like coloring pages, word searches, and even a build-a-blanket-nest activity.

It’s a simple way to turn a story into a family memory.

And sometimes those are the moments children remember most.

When Stories Become Family Moments

My hope with Made to Fly Free isn’t just that families read the story. It’s that they linger in it a little longer.

That it sparks conversation, encourages courage, and reminds children that they are growing in God’s perfect timing.

Just like Little Peep.

Preorders Are Now Open

If you’d like to read Made to Fly Free with your family, preorders are now open.

When you preorder, you’ll receive the book as soon as it arrives, along with the preorder bonuses. You’ll also get access to the free Pathfinder Story Guide designed to help your family explore the story together.

You can learn more or reserve your copy here:

☞ Preorder Made to Fly Free

Thank you for supporting family-created stories that encourage courage, faith, and purpose in the next generation.

Before you go, I’d love to hear from you:

Is there a children’s book your family reads over and over again?

What makes it special in your home?

Is it the story itself…
the conversations it sparks…
or the memories you’ve created while reading it together?