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TRAVELING BY AIRPLANE

Name: TRAVELING BY AIRPLANE
Author: Pierre Winters
ISBN: 978-1-60537-137-5

From the Want to Know series

by Pierre Winters & illustrated by Tineke Meirinck ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 1, 2012

An impressive amount of useful information in an inviting format, studded with humor.

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Everything a youngster might want to know about air travel.

Henry and Kate are going on vacation with their parents. Packed bags close by, they stare excitedly out the window at the airport, waiting for the call to board. A series of two-page spreads charts the history of flight, from Icarus through biplanes to the modern jet, then Winters takes readers onto the plane to check out every part from nose to tail. Another spread depicts one boy's (puzzlingly, not Henry) fascination; he makes a paper airplane and flies a remote-control helicopter before building his own toy plane out of wood and finally piloting a small plane himself. A double-gatefold provides a panoramic view of the airport, illustrating aspects of airport security. Then readers meet the various airport personnel, pictured and described. Henry and Kate hold their boarding passes as they wait in line to get on the plane. All along the way are additional tidbits or reader challenges in little bubbles. Winters closes with a pair of poems about flight and a handful of quizzes (matching pictured baggage to owners, for example) and craft projects, like making a travel notebook. The illustrations look a bit too old-fashioned for the hipness of the text, but it’s still a solid, if busy introduction for new fliers.

An impressive amount of useful information in an inviting format, studded with humor. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2012

ISBN: 978-1-60537-137-5

Page Count: 30

Publisher: Clavis

Review Posted Online: Oct. 23, 2012

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2012

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.

Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)

Pub Date: May 1, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2025

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.

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In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.

Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)