Books About Aeronautics

The Best Aeronautics Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about aeronautics? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Fabulous Flying Machines of Alberto Santos-Dumont

Flying Machines: How the Wright Brothers Soared

Graphic Nov.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Aeronautics

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 1991

The Wright Brothers

By Russell Freedman

Two brothers defy gravity, launching the Age of Flight.

Newbery Honor (1992)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1991)Golden Kite Award (1992)

144 pages· 19,420 words· Est. 2 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,186 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Orville and Wilbur Wright, with minimal schooling but boundless curiosity, embark on a journey that changes history. From tinkering with toys to pioneering the first controlled flight, their story is one of innovation and determination. As they navigate challenges and triumphs, their legacy soars beyond the skies. Discover how these inventive siblings transformed dreams into reality, sparking a revolution in aviation. With personal writings and rare photographs, this biography captures the spirit of two men who dared to fly, leaving an indelible mark on the world.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2008

Violet the Pilot

By Steve Breen

A young inventor's flying machine could change everything at the Air Show and beyond.

40 pages· 860 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

5.4/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,071 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Violet Van Winkle, a young inventor with a knack for creating flying machines, faces teasing from her peers. Determined to prove herself, she sets her sights on winning the Air Show. But when a Boy Scout troop is in danger, Violet's best invention might just save the day and capture the town's admiration, including the mayor's. Will her creations earn her the respect she deserves, or will they lead to an unexpected adventure? Discover the heartwarming journey of a girl who dares to dream and fly.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2021

The Girl Who Could Fix Anything

By Mara Rockliff, Daniel Duncan (Illustrator)

Can one woman's engineering genius turn the tide of World War II?

48 pages· 648 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.3/5 Goodreads · 224 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Beatrice Shilling defies expectations with her mechanical genius, but can she convince the Royal Aircraft Establishment to trust her innovations? As World War II rages, British pilots face dire challenges in the skies. With the fate of a nation hanging in the balance, Beatrice must solve a critical engine problem. Will her ingenuity and persistence be enough to help Britain triumph? Discover the remarkable story of a woman who changed history with her wrench and determination.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2014

Who Were the Wright Brothers?

By James Buckley Jr., Who HQ, Tim Foley (Illustrator) · Who Was . . . ? series

Two brothers defy gravity, inventing the first successful airplane.

112 pages· 7,486 words· Est. 1 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 948 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Summary: Orville and Wilbur Wright, captivated by mechanics, embark on a daring quest to conquer the skies. From tinkering with bicycles to crafting the first successful airplane, their journey is one of innovation and determination. Will their dream to soar higher than ever before become a reality, or will they crash under the weight of ambition? Discover the thrilling tale of two pioneers who dared to dream beyond the horizon.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 6–10 · 2020

Wood, Wire, Wings

By Kirsten W. Larson, Tracy Subisak (Illustrator)

A self-taught engineer strives to design a working airplane in the early 1900s.

48 pages

4.3/5 Goodreads · 310 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: Emma Lilian Todd, a self-taught engineer, faces the daunting task of designing a functional airplane in the early 1900s. With a mind always soaring, she dissects clocks and imagines flying machines, determined to turn her dreams into reality. Despite numerous failures, Lilian draws inspiration from nature and her setbacks, pushing herself to create a design that can truly fly. Will her persistence and ingenuity lead to success, or will her dreams remain grounded? Discover the journey of a pioneering spirit in a world where the sky is the limit.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2011

The Fabulous Flying Machines of Alberto Santos-Dumont

By Victoria Griffith, Eva Montanari (Illustrator)

A Brazilian aviator races to be the first to fly a self-propelled plane.

32 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 222 ratings

$17.95Save 5%

Summary: In early 1900s Paris, Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont dreams of perfecting flight. As he transforms his dirigible into a winged marvel, a rival challenges him to be the first in the sky. With suspenseful landings and daring innovations, Alberto's journey captures the spirit of aviation's golden age. Will his ambition and ingenuity make him the first to conquer the skies with a self-propelled plane? Discover the thrilling tale of a pioneer who soared above the City of Light, leaving a lasting mark on history.

Sale price

$574

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1997

First Flight

By George Shea, Don Bolognese (Illustrator) · I Can Read series

A boy helps pioneers test a flying machine against all odds.

48 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 164 ratings

Summary: Young Tom Tate is captivated by the Wright Brothers' daring quest to build a flying machine. Despite his father's warnings and the town's skepticism, Tom is determined to assist Wilbur and Orville in achieving their dream. Will Tom's belief in the impossible help the brothers soar into history, or will their ambitions crash to the ground? Dive into this thrilling tale of innovation and courage, where a boy's adventurous spirit meets the sky-high dreams of aviation pioneers.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1348

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2017

Flying Machines: How the Wright Brothers Soared

By Benjamin A. Wilgus, Molly Brooks (Illustrator) · Science Comics series

Two brothers defy odds to conquer the skies in a race against time and rivals.

128 pages· 11,044 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 190 ratings

$13.99Save 4%

Summary: In a world dominated by dirigibles, the Wright brothers embark on a daring quest to achieve heavier-than-air flight. From their humble bicycle shop in Dayton to the windswept fields of North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur face fierce competition, mechanical setbacks, and scarce information. As they battle against wealthier European rivals, their meticulous experiments and unyielding courage propel them into the annals of aviation history. Will their flying machines soar or crash under pressure? Discover the thrilling journey of innovation and determination that changed the skies forever.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1951

Wilbur and Orville Wright

By Augusta Stevenson · Childhood of Famous Americans series

Discover the childhood dreams that launched the age of flight.

192 pages· 22,527 words· Est. 3 hour read

3.9/5 Goodreads · 265 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: Meet young Wilbur and Orville Wright, two curious brothers with a passion for invention. As they tinker and dream, they set the stage for a groundbreaking journey into the skies. What challenges will they face on their path to becoming aviation pioneers? Explore their early years and uncover the sparks that ignited their legendary achievements.

Sale price

$858

Board Book · Ages 0–3 · 2022

Planes and Other Flying Machines

By Jill McDonald · Hello, World! series

Discover how humans soar with flying machines in this engaging board book.

26 pages

4.5/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 94 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Introduce your toddler to the wonders of flight with this vibrant board book. Explore planes and flying machines, from the Wright brothers' wooden plane to modern marvels. Each page offers simple facts and engaging prompts, making learning about aviation fun and interactive. Dive into the world of science and nature, sparking curiosity in young minds. Perfect for little explorers eager to learn how humans take to the skies.

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Aeronautics Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about aeronautics for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$999

Big Stuff Planes, Rockets, Spacecraft!

Ages 3–5 · 2022

Discover how things fly with simple rhymes and vibrant illustrations.

Sale price

$1799

To Fly

Ages 6–9 · 2002

Two brothers defy gravity, inventing the first airplane amidst trials and triumphs.

Sale price

$1699

Aim for the Skies

Ages 6–9 · 2018

Two women unknowingly embark on a global flight race, inspired by Amelia Earhart.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1600

Into the Air

Ages 7–10 · 2002

Can the Wright brothers defy gravity and make human flight a reality?

Sale price

$1799

My Brothers' Flying Machine

Ages 6–9 · 2003

Witness the Wright brothers' journey to flight through their sister's eyes.

Sale price

$1599

The Wright Brothers

Ages 5–9 · 2003

Two brothers' dream of flight becomes reality through persistence and innovation.

Sale price

$1999

Wilbur Wright Meets Lady Liberty

Ages 5–9 · 2021

Witness a daring flight around the Statue of Liberty that changed aviation forever.

Flight

Ages 10–12 · 1981

Explore the evolution of flight from dreams to reality.

Sale price

$1899

A Dream of Flight

Ages 4–8 · 2019

An inventor risks it all to win a daring airship race around the Eiffel Tower.

Sale price

$999

Onward and Pupward!

Ages 3–5 · 2018

Explore the skies with pups and planes in a thrilling adventure.

Sale price

$350

The Magic School Bus Taking Flight

Ages 4–8 · 1997

Shrunk inside a model plane, a class uncovers the secrets of flight.

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Aeronautics Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about aeronautics for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$1499

Jetpack Attack

Ages 8–12 · 2019

Can you stop VILE from using your jetpack for evil? Choose your path.

The Science Behind Batman's Flying Machines

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2799

The Science Behind Batman's Flying Machines

Ages 7–9 · 2016

Discover the real science behind Batman's flying machines.

Sale price

$1899

First Flight

Ages 8–12 · 2023

Timekeepers race to save history from chaos as a villain disrupts the past.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$899

The Wright Brothers and the Airplane

Ages 8–12 · 2007

Witness the birth of flight as two brothers defy gravity.

Sale price

$595

The Wright Brothers

Ages 10–12 · 2007

Two brothers defy gravity, turning a childhood dream into reality at Kitty Hawk.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1095

The Wrong Wrights

Ages 8–11 · 2016

Kids time-travel to save aviation history from mysterious changes.

Sale price

$499

The $25,000 Flight

Ages 7–10 · 2014

Can a daring pilot conquer the Atlantic alone for a $25,000 prize?

Sale price

$1299

Heroes of Flight

Ages 9–12 · 2019

Discover aviation's pioneers, from gliders to breaking the sound barrier.

Sale price

$3732

First in Flight

Ages 10–14 · 2020

Witness the Wright brothers' daring first flight amidst doubt and innovation.

Take Me Out to the Airfield!

1976

Witness the birth of flight with the Wright brothers.

The Wright Brothers: Nose-Diving into History

Sale price

$1199

The Wright Brothers: Nose-Diving into History

Ages 8–12 · 2018

Discover how epic failures led the Wright brothers to flight success.

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Our 10 Favorite Books About Aeronautics

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