Fly

From takeoff to landing, a look behind the scenes of a commercial flight. Technical terms such as 'yoke' and 'landing gear' help youngsters understand the mechanics of a flight...Clement's crisp, clean digital images and bold angle placements resemble another transportation connoisseur, Donald Crews.... an intriguing choice for the more technically minded.

Taking a plane trip for the first time can be an exciting and a frightening experience for a child. In simple text, this book follows a family...as they board a plane, enjoy a smooth flight, then disembark for their destination. Brightly colored, naturalistic digital illustrations convey a great deal of information about how an airport functions...(T)his story could be helpful in calming any concerns a child might have about an upcoming trip.

PreS-K--This picture book gives readers the inside scoop on the people and technology behind a successful flight. It opens with a young girl and her parents presenting their tickets to the travel agent at the gate. The next scene focuses on the luggage: "The baggage crew loads the cargo hold. 'Cargo doors are closed, ' calls the ground crew." The illustration spans the spread and gives readers the feeling of being at the airport. As in real life, the ground crew looks small in comparison to the plane. Text and illustrations work well together and would be an excellent choice for a storytime or in a one-on-one reading. Another strength of this title is the effort that went into making the text accurate. In the opening page the author thanks his technical advisors: a first officer, an aircraft manufacturing representative, and a flight instructor. The title helps build curiosity and vocabulary in a child-friendly way. A list of 13 "Airplane Words to Know," including cockpit, yoke and flight attendant, is appended. VERDICT This is a highly recommended early STEM title for public libraries and schools, and a great way to prepare young children for their first plane ride.--Robin Sofge, Prince William Public Library System, VA

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