Flying: Just Plane Fun [Hardcover]

Julie Grist (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

How do planes stay up in the air? What are all those knobs, gizmos and gauges in the cockpit? How do you fly a plane?

A pilot answers these and other questions in this lively memoir written to his grandson after their flight together in his home-built biplane. Bright watercolor sketches and playful photographs capture the fun and excitement of flying in an open-cockpit biplane above the green fields of Wisconsin.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-Grist describes the excitement of flying while also including some of the mechanics involved, and her enthusiasm for the subject comes through loud and clear. Youngsters will be caught up in the upbeat, conversational narrative, which appears as the grandfather's handwritten entries in a logbook chronicling his and his grandson's first flight in his homebuilt Skybolt biplane. Colorful illustrations and diagrams along with photographs of the principals on this special day complement the text well. Even the copyright page offers information; it presents the flight plan of the trip. Cleverly, the "walk around" (preflight inspection of the aircraft) includes footprints so that readers can follow along, too. However, that spread is an example of the book's weakness as well. Some steps are clearly explained, telling what to do and why, but the direction, "`Twang' the flying wires for the right tune," needs more clarification. Similarly, terms like "cowling," "drag," and "thrust" lack definitions. A fun introduction that is not as complete as it could be.
Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Flying with grandpa in a biplane he built himself is a lovely touch, making aviation come alive for the reader. -- Bill Wagstaff, Sr. Editor, AVIATION INTERNATIONAL NEWS, '03

I will be including this in my workshop of the best of new books concerning flight and the Wright Brothers. -- Peggy Sharp, Ed.D., Children's Literature Consultant

I will be including this in my workshop of the best of new books concerning flight and the Wright Brothers. -- Peggy Sharp, Ed.D., Children's Literature Consultant

This book cleverly explains the basics of flight through charming illustrations and photographs. Perfect for those who aren't yet pilots. -- Elizabeth J. Murray, FLYING MAGAZINE, April 03

This book cleverly explains the basics of flight through charming illustrations and photographs. Perfect for those who aren't yet pilots. -- Elizabeth J. Murray, Mgr Editor, FLYING Magazine, April '03

This book is a masterpiece! The pictures are great . Reading it got me very interested in flying. -- John Sapunor, age 11

This book shares the feeling of what flying a small plane is all about. Great for kids of all ages! -- Jeff Power, Former AirForce Fighter Pilot and TWA Captain, and Stunt Show Performer

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Spoonbender Books; 1 edition (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972575006
• ISBN-13: 978-0972575003
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,583,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flying: Just Plane Fun, November 12, 2004

By 

WingWalker (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flying: Just Plane Fun (Hardcover)

This book should really say it's written for 5 to 95 year olds as it appeals to all ages. The book provides valuable information about flying, but in a format that's colorful and humorous with drawings and photographs and quirky descriptions. Kids love it. Parents and especially grandparents enjoy that it's the story of a grandpa and his grandchild having an exciting day together flying. The adults I've shared it with say that after reading this book, they finally understand how flight works.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful picturebook about how planes stay up in the air, June 10, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flying: Just Plane Fun (Hardcover)

Author and illustrator Julie Grist's Flying: Just Plane Fun is a delightful picture book about how planes stay up in the air, the basics of flying, and what it's like to be a pilot or co-pilot. An adventurous read which is most especially recommended for young people with a budding interest in aircraft, aviation, and the mechanics and physics thereof, Flying: Just Plane Fun is an original and enthusiastically recommended addition for family, school, and community library collections.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars i loved this book, April 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Flying: Just Plane Fun (Hardcover)

This is a great book. Wheather you are intrested in flying or not you will love it. It takes you through an amazing adventure with a boy and his grandfather. It is great fun. you can read it over and over again and never get sick of it. It is very educational for both the parent and the child. The pictures and photographs are beautiful. If you have a child, boy or girl you should buy this book.