REVIEWS

"This lively memoir is written from the perspective of grandpa taking his grandson on his first flight one summer day over Wisconsin. It captures the thrill of being airborne and explains the basic aspects of flying, including takeoff, lift, navigation and aerobatics through the use of charming watercolor illustrations and photographs. A perfect book for those who are not yet pilots and are curious about flying."
FLYING Magazine, July 2003

"Young aviation enthusiasts between 5 and 12 years old will enjoy this picture book about aviation written especially for them. It's a well-written, nicely illustrated book, that's just plane fun to read."
SPORT AVIATION Magazine, July 2003

 

PBS Teacher Source

Recommended Book of the Month
"Flying with grandpa in a biplane he built himself is a lovely touch, making aviation come alive for the reader."
Bill Wagstaff, Aviation International News

"This book is a masterpiece! The pictures are great and the writing is interesting and fun to read. Reading it got me very interested in flying."
John Sapunor, Age 11

"A delightful picture book about how planes stay up in the air, the basics of flying, and what it's like to be a pilot or co-pilot. An adventurous read...Flying: Just Plane Fun is original, and an enthusiastically recommended addition for family, school and community libraries."
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW, June 2003

School Library Journal

“Grist describes the excitement of flying while also including some of the mechanics involved, and her enthusiasm for the subject comes through loud and clear. Youngsters will be caught up in the upbeat, conversational narrative, which appears as the grandfather's handwritten entries in a logbook chronicling his and his grandson's first flight in his homebuilt Skybolt biplane. Colorful illustrations and diagrams along with photographs of the principals on this special day complement the text well. Even the copyright page offers information; it presents the flight plan of the trip. Cleverly, the "walk around" (preflight inspection of the aircraft) includes footprints so that readers can follow along, too.”