When my nephew was young, he was really into airplanes. He loved Jay Jay the Jet Plane. Perhaps it was because my sister's family moved from New England to North Carolina, so we had to get on an airplane to visit him. I remember we would put our arms around and pretend to be Jay Jay. Needless to say, today's book would have been perfect for him over a decade ago, but it wasn't written. The book is The Littlest Airplane by Brooke Hartman and illustrated by John Joseph.
From the Publisher:
The Littlest Airplane Written by Brooke Hartman and Illustrated by John JoesphAges 4-7 | 32 Pages | Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books |
Publisher’s Synopsis: A rhyming picture book about how sometimes it’s not the biggest, strongest, or the fastest, but the littlest who can get the job done!
“Alaska Northwest Books wings into spring with… The Littlest Airplane by Brooke Hartman, illus. by John Joseph, in which a storm necessitates calling a mighty little bush plane to rescue people stuck on a mountain in the snow.” —Publishers Weekly, Spring 2022 Children’s Sneak Previews
At a landing strip in the far north, a little bush plane watches quietly as bigger, stronger, faster planes take off for adventure. But when a storm hits and hikers are stranded on the mountain, who will come to the rescue?
Told in rhyming verse with bright illustrations, The Littlest Airplane soars high with heart and excitement.
About the Author:
From Me:
This book has the feeling of The Little Engine that Could. The littlest plane is a bush plane. The book takes place up north--think Alaska. The little bush plane watches as the bigger planes take off. The bigger planes are the turboprop, cargo plane, and jet plane. Each has its own special talents--wide wings, speed, etc. The littlest plane doesn't think he measures up. Then a surprise storm hits, and people message the airport that they are stuck in it. When all the big planes fail to rescue them, they encourage the littlest plane to try.
I love that this book was written with knowledge about the types of planes. I love that the hero is the littlest one. I don't quite understand why the bigger planes seem to take off and just circle, but I'm an adult and not a young child who probably won't think of that. Of course, the surprise snowstorm is probably more realistic up in Alaska than in other parts of the country. At the end of the book is a picture of the bush plane with the parts labeled and a page about bush planes and what make them special. This is a sweet book that teaches a bit about airplanes as well as the lesson of trying and thinking you can.
Airplane Crafts:
To go with this adorable book, I found a simple airplane craft that Hazel made years ago at Lakeshore Learning. It is made with a cardboard tube (or a rolled piece of cardstock), three popsicle sticks, a foam star (for the propeller) and decorations. To hang it you will need yarn and a hole punch. The back of the tube has slits on it to insert the back stick.
There are many other airplane craft ideas. When I looked for the tutorial for the craft, I found another one on Lakeshore Learning. Plus, I have a round-up for you!
1) Easy Paper Airplanes with Free Templates from Moms & Crafters
2) Military Clothespin Planes from Crafts by Amanda
3) Paper Plate Plane in the Clouds from In The Playroom
4) Airplane BINGO Printable from Frugal Coupon Living
5) Snoopy and the Red Baron Clothespin Planes from Crafts by Amanda
6) Paper Airplane Launcher from Little Bins for Little Hands
7) How to Fold Paper Airplanes (Free Printable Plans) from In The Playroom
8) Flying Dragons Paper Airplane Kit Review
10) DIY Cardboard Airport from Non-Toy Gifts
Giveaway:
Enter for a chance to win a Pega Sisters Goes to Camp or The Littlest Airplane prize pack! Good luck!!
One (1) winner receives:
- The Pega Sisters Prize Pack!
One (1) winner receives:
- The Littlest Airplane Prize Pack!
One (1) winner receives:
- A copy of Pega Sisters Go to Camp and The Littlest Airplane
Brooke Hartman: Book Giveaway
