Books by Theme
Take Flight!
There's something for everyone in this booklist: flights of fact and fantasy, traditional aviation from the air and with one foot on the ground; daredevil flights and flights of fancy; flyers both funny and brave.
About Hummingbirds: A Guide for Children
Easy to read text and lush, realistic illustrations provide an accessible but authoritative look at hummingbirds' lives and habits.
Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride
Two well known women sneak away from the White House for an aerial adventure in this handsomely illustrated story based on real people. Though fictionalized, readers will appreciate the common interests and similar personality traits of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and aviatrix Amelia Earhart.
Fly Guy vs. the Flyswatter!
Buzz, a boy, and his pet fly, Fly Guy, visit a flyswatter factory with Buzz's class in the latest installment of this comic series.
Kids' Paper Airplane Book
Sophisticated children (or children with an adult) will appreciate the variety of aircraft designs ranging from easy to difficult, silly to complex, and the science behind them. All is presented in easy-to-follow instructions and crisp diagrams.
Kite Flying
The young narrator describes how she and her family each contribute to a handsome kite which they then enjoy flying. Signature illustrations show traditional Chinese kite designs combined with an author's note about kite history. The result is the celebration of an ebullient family tradition that readers may want to take up themselves!
My Friend Rabbit
Rabbit always thinks of things to do even though they often lead to trouble. When Mouse's toy airplane gets stuck in a tree, Rabbit's animal ladder is sure to release it — with very funny results in this 2003 Caldecott Medal-winning book.
Soar, Elinor!
Elinor Smith was a girl whose dream of flying was realized in the 1920s, a time when girls and women weren't encouraged to do so. Based on a real person, Elinor's story is well told and dramatically illustrated. Equally interesting is the author's endnote in which she reveals how she researched this fascinating woman.
Tar Beach
Cassie doesn't have to actually go to the beach; she's got her very own "tar beach" on the roof of her Harlem apartment building. From there, her imagination takes her on a journey through time and space. The artist's quilt story was successfully adapted into this modern classic.
The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot July 25, 1909
By 1909, Louis Bleriot's persistence had paid off: this Frenchman became the first aviator to fly across the English Channel in an "air machine." This Caldecott Medal winner is a quiet account of one man’s perseverance and passion.
Thunder Birds: Nature's Flying Predators
The author/illustrator's enthusiasm for the birds he observes is contagious in this artful and informative look at various birds of prey. Several pages fold out to showcase the splendor of these amazing flyers.
Tuesday
Slowly and quietly on this particular Tuesday, a few fat frogs begin hovering over a swamp, riding lily pads like magic carpets. Gradually, the flying fleet grows in momentum and number, sailing over the countryside and into an unsuspecting town.
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