Fortunately, Ned was invited to a surprise party.
Unfortunately, the party was a thousand miles away.

Fortunately, a friend loaned Ned an airplane.
Unfortunately, the motor exploded.

Fortunately, there was a parachute in the airplane.
Unfortunately, there was a hole in the parachute.

What else could go wrong as Ned tries to get to the party? Readers will cheer as Ned's luck turns from good to bad to good again, while clever illustrations tell the story of his wacky adventure and narrow escapes....

The book in which renowned author/illustrator Vera B. Williams made her illustrating debut offers young readers a celebratory look at their own special place in the world. Charlip's poetry sparkles while Williams's world of colorful people perfectly captures the joy that comes when we are free to be ourselves. This is a great book to share with children who are just starting to wonder who they are in relation to others....