Ships of the Air [Hardcover]

Lynn Curlee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 23, 1996 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

In text and thirteen strikingly realistic paintings, Ships of the Air traces the development of the dirigible, creating an evocative picture of one aspect of man's search for the secret of flight.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5?Though limited in scope, Ships of the Air provides a fascinating journey through the history of lighter-than-air flight. From the first hot air balloon flight to the use of blimps today, Curlee whets readers' appetite for more. He gives an overview of hot air balloons, dirigibles, zeppelins, and blimps. Information about how they were invented, designed, used, and the people involved is presented in a pleasing format in chronological order. The book serves as a springboard to more in-depth offerings such as Joshua Stoff's Dirigible (Macmillan, 1985; o.p.). Shelley Tanaka's The Disaster of the Hindenburg (Scholastic, 1993) gives a detailed account of the tragedy that ended the airship era. Curlee presents not only the Hindenburg, but also other ships such as the Graf Zeppelin, "The Queen of the Skies," which had a perfect safety record in its 12 years of service. Airships that served as early airplane carriers and the Union Civil War Balloon Corps are profiled as well. The author points out that with the renewed popularity of hot-air ballooning, lighter-than-air flight has come full circle. What makes this title stand out are the acrylic paintings. Full- and double-page spreads capture in well-crafted detail the majesty of these flying ships. A great introduction.?Jane Claes, T. J. Lee Elementary School, Irving, TX
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-6. Beginning with the Montgolfier brothers' experiments using hot air to lift large balloons, this attractive book traces the development of the dirigible. The succinctly written text tells of promising developments, historic flights, the occasional disasters, the slow demise of lighter-than-air craft, and the resurgence of interest in hot-air ballooning. Stately acrylic paintings illustrate the book, capturing the quiet of hot-air transportation in formal compositions executed in cool colors. A handsome starting point for studies of airships. Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (September 23, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395693381
• ISBN-13: 978-0395693384
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #383,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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