Review: How Lumi Learned to Fly by David Michael

Title: How Lumi Learned to Fly: The Little Butterfly that Learned to Believe in Herself
Author: David Michael
Illustratior: Raees Asma
Publication: August 24, 2026
Genre: Children's, Picture Book, Self-Esteem/Personal Growth
Find it on: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon BE
Rating: 4/5★

How Lumi Learned to Fly

Lumi has always dreamed of flying.

But when the time comes to spread her wings, Lumi discovers that learning to fly isn’t as easy as she imagined. With a little courage, determination, and encouragement from those who believe in her, Lumi begins to discover that sometimes the hardest part of reaching your dreams is simply believing you can.

Join Lumi on a sweet and inspiring adventure as she learns to face her fears, keep trying when things don’t go as planned, and discover the confidence that was inside her all along.

How Lumi Learned to Fly is a heartwarming story about courage, perseverance, self-confidence, and believing in yourself. Young readers will love following Lumi’s journey as she learns that mistakes and challenges are simply part of growing and learning.

A wonderful read for parents, teachers, and caregivers looking for a gentle story that encourages children to:

• Believe in themselves
• Try again when something feels difficult
• Face new challenges with courage
• Learn from mistakes
• Discover their own unique strengths

Sometimes, you don't need to know how to fly before you spread your wings. You just need to be brave enough to try.

Let Lumi show you that anything is possible when you believe in yourself!

"It wasn't fear anymore—it was something lighter. Something brave."

How Lumi Learned to Fly is a short, sweet and heartwarming story about believing in yourself and never giving up. I almost never read children’s books like this one but I ended up enjoying it nontheless, especially because of its lovely message.

I also really loved the beautiful illustrations (made by Raees Asmar), which brought the story to life. Lumi is such a cute butterfly! I’m more than sure that small kids will be drawn to pictures as well. I can totally see this book finding a beloved spot in libraries alongside other books about animals, self-esteem and growing and learning.

Overall, How Lumi Learned to Fly: The Little Butterfly that Learned to Believe in Herself by David Michael is a sweet and inspiring story that leaves young readers with a wonderful reminder to believe in themselves.

About the author:

David Michael, the pen name of Mike Dreyfuss, is a pediatric occupational therapist with more than 10 years of experience helping children with special needs build confidence, independence, and essential life skills. Inspired by the children and families he works with each day, he began writing children’s books that encourage important virtues such as courage, patience, kindness, and perseverance. Through heartfelt stories and memorable characters, David hopes to inspire every child—especially those who struggle with self-confidence—to believe in themselves, face their fears, and discover the strength they already have inside.

David lives in Texas with his wife and their two young children, who continue to inspire his stories and remind him of the magic found in everyday moments. Amazon | Facebook | Instagram