Norman has always been 'perfectly normal' and this is shown in the wonderful illustrations in the book. He is in colour, whilst all around him are shown in black, white and grey. These are not sad or difficult background scenes; it's just that the people in them have no colour. The children are happy playing together, and Norman's parents are happy too and proud of their son. But one day Norman grows wings, beautiful, rainbow-coloured delicate wings, and he has a wonderful time flying in the sky with birds. When he must go home, though, he realises that the wings make him 'different', and he isn't at all sure that his parents or anyone else will like a different Norman. He puts on a yellow coat to cover the wings and proceeds as though this is normal. But it makes for difficulties in the bath and at bedtime, and also when he tries to play with his friends; it is hot and uncomfortable, but still he perseveres. He comes to hate his wings, particularly because he is bullied because of the coat. It is his understanding parents who are concerned about him, who make him realise that it is okay to remove the coat because that is the problem and not his wings. In flying higher and higher into the sky, he sees other children in coats down below, and soon they are all flying high together. This wonderfully subtle and sensitive picture book celebrates diversity and being oneself and belongs in every classroom. A truly beautiful fable.