Freddy Finds a Friend


Children - Picture Book
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 03/08/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Do you know what a Flychiatrist is? Freddy does. He’s a fly that was born with only one wing. He can’t fly like the others and everyone makes fun of him. In Charles W. Page MD’s Freddy Finds a Friend, Freddy’s mother decides a Flychiatrist is just what Freddy needs. Talking to a fly shrink doesn’t help, but his father has a better idea. He makes a harness with a fake wing on it so Freddy can fly like the others. He’s finally free, with some warning from his mother. The warnings don’t prepare him well enough for the mean old man with a flyswatter, nor the sticky web full of hungry spiders. Will Freddy escape? And will he finally find a friend? After all, even flies need friends. Spiders, too.

Charles W. Page MD’s picture book Freddy Finds a Friend is a clever, lyrical treasure about friendship and caring for those who are different. Using rhyming verse to lure in the young reader, the author promotes feelings of hope and courage for all living creatures, especially those living with disabilities. Other themes shared include how to handle emotions, how to build one’s self-esteem, and how to be confident in who we are and all we do. Young readers will also learn how Freddy learns to trust others, make a true friend, and realize that even problems have a purpose. The language is simple and fun, with all kinds of made-up words like 'Flychiatrist.' The illustrations are bright, bold, colorful, and full of energy. Young readers will be chuckling along with Freddy’s antics while also cheering him on and relating to his problems. A great read.

Doreen Chombu

Freddy Finds a Friend by Charles W. Page, MD is an inspiring story about a little fly named Freddy, who was born with one wing and wished to fit in and have at least one true friend. The other flies constantly bullied Freddy because he couldn't fly, but his parents believed he was meant to soar. They encouraged him, introduced him to a doctor, and provided him with a flying gadget that gave him an extra wing. Before releasing Freddy into the world, his parents cautioned him about the dangers he might encounter, including a mean man who swats flies, sticky traps that might render him immobile, and a giant spider that could eat him. Despite this advice, Freddy soon finds himself facing these threats. He loses his flying gadget and gets trapped in the spider's web. At his lowest point, Freddy makes an unlikely friend, who teaches him the important lesson of not judging others too quickly.

Freddy Finds a Friend beautifully touches on various emotional elements such as friendship, courage, family, belonging, and diversity. The story is written in a rhyming style, which is great for introducing children to poetic narration. Charles W. Page, MD expertly conveys essential life lessons in a relatable manner for young readers. Through his journey, Freddy learns to embrace his parents' positive words instead of dwelling on the bullies' negative opinions. By the end of the tale, he discovers that not everyone different from him is an enemy; some can become friends. The book contains themes of kindness, acceptance, courage, and self-discovery. I hope many readers are inspired by Freddy's tale and learn to confront their fears with courage. The vibrant illustrations by Miroslav Miratov bring the characters and their environment to life. Each character's emotions are perfectly captured, creating a connection between the reader and the story. Overall, Freddy Finds a Friend is not only a delightful read for children but also a reminder of the power of resilience and the importance of friendship.

Asher Syed

Freddy Finds a Friend, written by Dr. Charles W. Page and illustrated by Miroslav Muratov, is a children's picture book that follows Freddy, a young fly born with only one wing. He faces ridicule from the other flies. His parents try various ways to help, including therapy and a mechanical wing, but his attempts at flying lead him into danger. When his artificial wing fails, he crashes into a sticky trap, leaving him helpless and facing certain death. Just as a fearsome red spider named Phyllis approaches, she unexpectedly saves him instead of eating him. Phyllis, unable to eat flies due to a rare condition, builds Freddy a new wing from her silk. She teaches him to embrace his uniqueness, and in the morning, he finds himself surrounded by friendly young spiders who call him "Uncle Fred."

Freddy Finds a Friend by Dr. Charles W. Page is a delightful, heartwarming tale told entirely in clever, rhyming verse. The writing is both playful and easy to follow, and my youngest reader and I had a lot of fun reading it aloud together. Miroslav Muratov’s illustrations are of a very high professional standard, featuring a bold color palette and a contemporary animation style that brings Freddy’s journey to life with energy and charm. We had a good laugh over Phyllis and the friendship is a wonderful spin, which also challenges assumptions itself in a way that feels natural and uplifting. The pacing and length are perfect for its intended readership and with its combination of sweet visuals, strong storytelling, and an inspiring message, this book is a fantastic addition to any child’s bookshelf.

Luwi Nyakansaila

Freddy Finds a Friend is a heartwarming picture book written by Charles W. Page, MD, with illustrations by Miroslav Muratov. The story follows Freddy, a special fly born with only one wing. He faces ridicule from his fellow flies for being unable to fly, but his parents encourage him to believe in himself. They take him to a Flychiatrist, who inspires them to create a fly jacket that gives him an extra wing for flying. Freddy's parents advise him to stay away from the cruel man with the fly swatter and the sticky traps. Unfortunately, Freddy falls victim to both, getting stuck in a sticky substance without his fly jacket. Just as he begins to lose hope, he receives help from an unexpected friend, who assists him in regaining his confidence and finding a way to fly again.

Freddy Finds a Friend is an inspiring story about believing in oneself and forming unlikely friendships. Through Freddy’s journey, children learn to embrace their unique qualities and celebrate differences in others. Every child is special and should be encouraged to recognize their potential. With loving support from family and caring friends, anyone can overcome their challenges. Charles W. Page, MD, effectively conveys these important messages in a way that resonates with children. His narration is poetic, featuring rhymes and stanzas that add a lyrical quality to the story. The colorful illustrations beautifully depict the characters' emotions and the vibrant environment of Freddy's world. This book is an excellent read to share with children who may feel different or inadequate, offering reassurance that they are not alone and can overcome obstacles with self-belief and support from loved ones.

K.C. Finn

Freddy Finds a Friend by Charles W. Page MD is a compassionate and inspiring picture book that tells the story of Freddy, a fly born with only one wing. Through a pleasant rhyming narrative, the author looks at disability, inner strength, and friendship with warm and sensitive words. Freddy's journey is all about overcoming personal limitations, learning to trust, and discovering the true meaning of friendship, which is very relatable and important to children's social and emotional growth. The book goes beyond just a simple story to offer both kids and adults life lessons about self-esteem, with a strong sense of humor and playfulness.

Author Charles W. Page MD brings a unique perspective to children's literature in a story that is educational and deeply touching. I was moved by his tender take on disability and loneliness and the way the story flows with such grace and positivity. The rhyming prose is lyrical, making it an enjoyable read-aloud that will engage children and adults alike. I could easily see it being read in classrooms and kids' groups everywhere. Page's clever choice of a fly as the central hero will make young readers think more kindly about creatures that are often overlooked or dismissed as insignificant. The themes of resilience, trust, and friendship are presented in an age-appropriate manner that truly encourages empathy and understanding, which we need these days more than ever. Overall, I highly recommend Freddy Finds a Friend as an essential addition to any child's library that will inspire and entertain while teaching valuable life lessons.