Cromwell Dixon's Sky Cycle [Hardcover]

John Nez (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 14, 2009 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

In the years and decades following the Wright Brothers' famous first flight, an obsession with aviation gripped the nation. Thousands caught the bug. In an era of innovation and invention, scores of people pursued their own personal dreams of building a flying machine, and many did so right in their own backyards.

Few stories, though, are as remarkable as that of Cromwell Dixon, a fourteen-year-old boy who successfully designed, built and flew what he dubbed his "Sky-Cycle" - literally a flying bicycle, that he could fully steer, and that he flew thousands of feet in the air.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5–In 1907, a 14-year-old boy named Cromwell Dixon took to the sky in a flying bicycle that he designed and built with the help of his mother. Nez re-creates his amazing feat in this lively account filled with informative and fascinating images. Despite disappointment (an early prototype caught fire) and mistakes (a too-heavy vehicle), the teen persevered. He eventually made a glorious showing in his flying bicycle, soaring above the highest buildings in his hometown of Columbus, OH. Later that year, Dixon entered his Sky-Cycle in the St. Louis Airship Carnival, taking home a prize. The time period is depicted with often-amusing illustrations that exude an old-fashioned flair while also inviting inspection. A one-page biography tells of Dixon's lifelong endeavors. Young inventors as well as aviation aficionados will be intrigued, but this fictionalized account is also a great example of the importance of determination, derring-do, and imagination.–Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA
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About the Author

John Nez has illustrated more than fifty children's books. He has often wondered what it might be like to take off on a flying bicycle into the clouds, but had fun creating a book about it instead. John Nez lives in Seattle, Washington.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399250417
• ISBN-13: 978-0399250415
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 10.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,210,539 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've illustrated over 50 books, books of every conceivable sort. I'm now also writing and illustrating my own stories, which is fun.

My online portfolio is: www.johnnez.com

I draw mostly in a whimsical style with the goal of conveying lots of feeling in my pictures... happy, sad, sneaky, mad, hopeful, afraid... whatever.

I work in traditional mediums of acrylics, watercolors, pencils and inks. But almost every drawing is first processed in the computer.

I also work in the digital mediums of Photoshop and Illustrator, which greatly expand the illustrator's toolbox. The combination of traditional and digital mediums allows for amazing new possibilities... and lots of fun.

I have a degree in English and also studied illustration at the Parsons School of Design in New York City with Maurice Sendak, among other wonderful teachers.

I live in Seattle, where I enjoy the natural wonders of the Northwest.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun story for all children, August 21, 2009

By 

Jennifer Macaire (France) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cromwell Dixon's Sky Cycle (Hardcover)

I bought this book for my nepphew and he loves it! The illustrations are a delight and the story is a great one to read aloud. The story is about a boy who loves to invent things, and one day he decides he wants to fly. What's amazing is that it's based on a true story. It goes to show what wonderful things kids can do when they are inspired and given encouragement. I'd definitely reccommend this book and think it would make a great gift especially for boys.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of Gumption!, December 30, 2009

By 

Jennifer Bogart "@ Quiverfullfamily.com" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cromwell Dixon's Sky Cycle (Hardcover)

From Icarus to the Wright Brothers, mankind's fascination with human flight has proven to be a continual driving force for innovation, invention, and flights of fancy. Prolific children's book creator John Abbott Nez has flipped back through the pages of the early days of American aviation to bring to new life the story of Cromwell Dixon, a 14-year-old lad who earned for himself the title of "America's Boy Aeronaut" by successfully building and flying an unusual flying bicycle.

In the year 1907 Cromwell Dixon's Sky-Cycle took off in a cross between a hydrogen balloon and a bicycle. This mechanically minded boy with "more gumption than a gopher" took his passion for flight and together with a supportive mother carved out a reputation for himself in the freewheeling world of aeronautics.

Nez's muted palette and crisply outlined illustrations bring Dixon's progress from vision, through obstacles, and on to success to the printed page for a new generation of readers. The charming cover image hearkens back to vintage billboards, advertisements, and signs, revealing the care with which Nez has labored to keep the book's appearance evocative of an earlier age. Dixon and his mother are drawn from actual photographs of the pair, adding an additional level of realism.

In all honesty, my house full of girls can take or leave this title; their ambitions revolve around making jewelry, tea parties, and dress-up. Despite their rather tepid reception, I'm entranced by the potential this picture book holds for ambitious boys. In a marketplace that often seems slanted towards writing for female readers, Nez's contribution is a title to check out for the boys in your life.

Furthermore, in an age in which young men are so often wasted on video games and senseless pursuits, this sharply drawn portrait of a boy who acts to bring his dream to life, and hone skills in order to meet his goals, will prove an amazing encouragement to young fellows with gumption everywhere. Moms, be forewarned, if you pick up this title for your son, he'll soon be expecting you to back up his adventurous schemes and inventions as did Mrs. Dixon. Prepare for adventure!

5.0 out of 5 stars The amazing but true story of Cromwell Dixon, December 1, 2009

By 

Tara A. Green (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Cromwell Dixon's Sky Cycle (Hardcover)

This book tells the story of early aviator Cromwell Dixon, who participated in the 1907 St Louis Airship Carnival in an aircraft he designed and built himself, even though he was only a teenager.

The book is very good at communicating the excitement of the early days of aviation and Cromwell's passion for inventing things. After some early setbacks, Cromwell manages to build a pedal-powered airship with a propeller and takes it on a successful, if hair-raising, voyage.

The book is presented as a children's story, so I was not sure while reading it whether it was true or not. However, there is an appendix with a photograph and biographical sketch of the real Cromwell Dixon and his ever-supportive mother. After reading this book, I was keen to find out more about the young pilot. I was glad that the author omitted mentioning the upsetting fact that Cromwell Dixon died at a very early age in an aviation accident.

John Abbott Nez is an excellent storyteller and my two five year old girls and I found this book fascinating.