Riley made a paper airplane and couldn't wait to let it soar. But just before the plane could take off--SQUAWK. An eagle swoops in and insists Riley's plane could never fly. It's much too small. So Riley makes it bigger! But just as this bigger paper airplane is ready to go, a parrot squawks that the plane is way too boring to fly. So Riley makes it fancier! Bird after bird offers advice, and Riley tries making the airplane faster longer, taller, and slimmer.

When the plane crashes to the ground after all these changes, Riley finally meets a more supportive friend . . . and rediscovers the joy and wonder of soaring.