The First Air Voyage in the United States: The Story of Jean-Pierre Blanchard [Hardcover]

Alexandra Wallner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1996 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Recounts the voyage of an eighteenth-century French aeronaut by hot air balloon from Philadelphia to Woodbury, New Jersey, in 1793.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?On January 9, 1793, Jean-Pierre Blanchard, accompanied by a dog, made the first hot-air balloon flight in America, from Philadelphia to Woodbury, NJ. Along the way, he carried out several scientific experiments. Drawing heavily on The First Air Voyage in America (Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1943; o.p.), this is a simple but lively account of the adventure, illustrated with charming, cartoonlike paintings that evoke the times. Wallner also briefly chronicles Blanchard's earlier European flights. This book would fit comfortably with titles such as Chris Demarest's Lindbergh (Crown, 1993) and the Provensens' The Glorious Flight (Viking, 1983). However, Wallner's version of the event includes a number of little discrepancies. The colors of the balloon and basket differ from press accounts, and the vignette of the dog nearly falling out of the basket seems to be invented. Also, while it is likely that future presidents Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe saw the lift-off, it is not known whether all were present in the prison yard from which the balloon took off. Finally, while Dolly Madison may have been there as well, in January, 1793, she was Dolly Todd; her marriage to Madison took place in 1794. While these inaccuracies are annoying, it is good that Wallner has seen fit to resurrect a nearly forgotten bit of aviation history. One hopes that readers will be inspired to look for further information on Blanchard and his remarkable accomplishments.?Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-9. Just how a Frenchman and a dog happened to be the first passengers on an air flight in the U.S. makes lively reading and history. Blanchard, who as a boy was obsessed with flying, later built his own balloon and had successful flights over Hamburg, Vienna, and other European cities. He was also intrigued by the American spirit of freedom and made the first air flight in the U.S. in 1793--with a letter of introduction from none other than President George Washington himself. The spirited illustrations, some done in four panels on a page and others as full-page spreads, capture the pure joy of a man who wanted to be "as free as the birds." Author's note and pronunciation guide appended. Denia Hester

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823412245
• ISBN-13: 978-0823412242
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,645,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS BOOK!, June 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The First Air Voyage in the United States: The Story of Jean-Pierre Blanchard (Hardcover)

There are so many pluses to this outstanding picturebook! I believe it is Wallner's best (and I like all of her books)! French language, American history, dogs, flight, etc....there is so much. A great piece of obscure American history! Every year this is one of my second graders' favorites!