I FLY

An airplane’s journey from takeoff to landing, with close-up looks at the people who make it possible.

After opening with a beaming two-page spread of a “sleek, regal, gravity-defying” passenger jet soaring above the clouds, the story switches perspective to the mechanics and cleaners attending to the plane on the tarmac, complete with bolded sound effects (“Whirrr, bzzzz, ka-thunk”). The plane (which narrates) explains that pilots, crew, and air traffic controllers all have important roles to play, especially when a massive storm front threatens the flight. The many inviting details in Dong’s collage and watercolor artwork depict everything from the mechanics of flight itself to flight attendants passing out meals and beverages to a diverse crowds of passengers. Enthusiastic narration emphasizes action and sound effects, making this tale ideal for read-alouds. The perspective goes as broad as a map of flights around the world and as individual as a child’s face giddily watching the landing from a window seat. Educational information follows, including facts on the science of flight, a glossary, trivia, a list of aviation jobs, a diagram of the parts of a plane, and a seek-and-find challenge that encourages rereading. The definitions may come in handy for understanding certain terms used in the story, even if the emotional beats require no explanation.

An informative trip through friendly skies.