 Andrea Beaty

David Roberts

Rosie may seem quiet during the day, but at night she’s a brilliant inventor of gizmos and gadgets who dreams of becoming a great engineer. When her great-great-aunt Rose (Rosie the Riveter) comes for a visit and mentions her one unfinished goal—to fly—Rosie sets to work building a contraption to make her aunt’s dream come true. But when her contraption doesn’t fly but rather hovers for a moment and then crashes, Rosie deems the invention a failure. On the contrary, Aunt Rose insists that Rosie’s contraption was a raging success: you can only truly fail, she explains, if you quit. From the powerhouse author-illustrator team of Iggy Peck, Architect comes Rosie Revere, Engineer, another charming, witty picture book about believing in yourself and pursuing your passion. Ada Twist, Scientist, the companion picture book featuring the next kid from Iggy Peck’s class, is available in September 2016.

Rosie Revere, Engineer

Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Mariadiamantes

Meet Amelia, the fearless female flier! Now available as a board book in the Little People, Big Dreams series, this inspiring and informative little biography follows the life of Amelia Earhart, from her childhood as a tomboy to becoming the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean to her eventual disappearance. With stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, this empowering series celebrates the important life stories of wonderful women of the world. From designers and artists to scientists, all of them went on to achieve incredible things, yet all of them began life as a little child with a dream. These books make the lives of these role models accessible for children, providing a powerful message to inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world!

Amelia

Haily Meyers

Kevin Meyers

Adventure into space with this playful oversized board book, from the creators of Gotta Go, Buffalo and the All Aboard series. Haily and Kevin Meyers are the husband and wife team behind the dazzling baby product line, Lucy Darling (lucydarling.com). Haily’s design work can be seen on their unique monthly sticker designs, nursery art prints, baby memory books, and multiple baby products. Their work has been featured in Pregnancy and Newborn magazine, Red Tricycle, Babiekins Magazine, Cool Mom Picks, KIWI magazine, Mollie Makes magazine, Fresh Style magazine, Mom Trends, HGTV Canada, and specialty baby shops worldwide. They live in Arizona.

3-2-1 Blast Off!

Lori Haskins Houran

Priscilla Alpaugh

cheese

the moon

When two hungry mice spot a giant yellow ball of cheese in the night sky, they get right to work building a rocketship so they can take a big bite out of that glowing full moon. After sailing through starry skies, the mice arrive at the feast of their dreams–and soon the moon isn’t so full anymore! Simple, rhythmic text makes this a great read-aloud for future astronauts.

Space Mice

Ed Vere

Max, a kitten, and Bird, a very young bird, want to be friends but Max also wants to eat Bird, so they strike a deal.

Max and Bird

Oliver Jeffers

A penguin has wings for a reason . . . doesn’t he? Having a best friend with his own airplane is one thing, but actually experiencing what it feels like to fly by himself? Here is one penguin who believes this is precisely what he needs to feel complete. Only . . . if flying by himself is so wonderful, then why does he feel so empty?

Because some experiences are better shared. (And penguins are much happier on the ground.)

Oliver Jeffers delivers the perfect companion to his much-loved Lost and Found. Penguins everywhere will take flight in delight.

Up and Down

Patrick Guest

Jonathan Bentley

An inspiring story about finding your true element

Ever since he first hatched, Gilbert has wanted to fly. But with his big, clumsy feet and small, fluffy wings, learning to fly is a bigger challenge than Gilbert anticipated. His fellow penguins tell him to give up, but Gilbert is sure that if he keeps trying, he’ll be able to soar…

Young readers will fall in love with this sweet, motivating story about overcoming obstacles and discovering your hidden talents.

The Second Sky

Il Sung Na

Once, there was a pig who admired birds. But he could never join them. Or could he? Thus begins the journey of a pig with big dreams, and the perseverance to make them come true. He develops flight plans, builds experimental contraptions, and has far-flung adventures, but at the end of the day, his favorite thing to do is still to sit and watch for those he loves best: the birds. Il Sung Na creates a world at once whimsical and aspirational, where anything is possible and, yes, even pigs can learn to fly.

The Dreamer

Lucy Cousins

What’s it like to travel by plane for the first time? Little flyers are in good company with Maisy leading the way.

Maisy is going to visit her friend Ella, and she is taking a plane to get there. She’s very excited! Join the mouse as she checks in at the airport, finds her seat (by the window!) and makes some new friends on her flight. From the whoosh at takeoff to waiting in line for the bathroom, from buckling seat belts to arriving in a whole new wonderful place, flying is more fun with a friend like Maisy on board.

Maisy Goes On a Plane: : A Maisy First Experiences Book

From the illustrator of the #1 smash hit The Day the Crayons Quit comes an imaginative tale of friendship in a world where what makes us different isn’t nearly as important as what makes us the same.

When a boy discovers a single-propeller airplane in his closet, he does what any young adventurer would do: He flies it into outer space! Millions of miles from Earth, the plane begins to sputter and quake, its fuel tank on empty. The boy executes a daring landing on the moon . . . but there’s no telling what kind of slimy, slithering, tentacled, fangtoothed monsters lurk in the darkness! (Plus, it’s dark and lonely out there.) Coincidentally, engine trouble has stranded a young Martian on the other side of the moon, and he’s just as frightened and alone. Martian, Earthling—it’s all the same when you’re in need of a friend.

The Way Back Home

Chris Gall

For the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, a step-by-step explanation of how the Apollo 11 spacecraft worked as told by a young enthusiast.The Apollo 11 astronauts have prepared carefully for their attempt to be the first men to land on the moon. The young narrator of this book has prepared carefully, too: he explains the design of the spacecraft, the flight from the earth to the moon, and the drama of touching down - while shadowing the astronaut’s voyage with one of his own. Go for the Moon! captures the fascinating detail and inspiring adventure of the moon landing. It is a captivating celebration of one of humankind’s greatest technical achievements and most extraordinary feats of exploration.

Go for the Moon

Torben Kuhlmann

Kristen Fulton

An Inspiring True Story about One Family’s Escape from Behind the Berlin Wall!  

Peter was born on the east side of Germany, the side that wasn’t free. He watches news programs rather than cartoons, and wears scratchy uniforms instead of blue jeans. His family endures long lines and early curfews. But Peter knows it won’t always be this way. Peter and his family have a secret. Late at night in their attic, they are piecing together a hot air balloon—and a plan. Can Peter and his family fly their way to freedom? This is the true story of one child, Peter Wetzel, and his family, as they risk their lives for the hope of freedom in a daring escape from East Germany via a handmade hot air balloon in 1979.  

• A perfect picture book for educators teaching about the Cold War, the Iron Curtain, and East Germany  
• Flight for Freedom is a showcase for lessons of bravery, heroism, family, and perseverance, as well as stunning history.  
• Includes detailed maps of the Wetzel family’s escape route and diagrams of their hot air balloon  

For fans of historical nonfiction picture books like Let the Children March, The Wall, Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon.  

• True life escape stories  
• For picture book readers age 5–9  
• For teachers, librarians, and historians  

Kristen Fulton is a children’s book author. She can always be found with a notebook in hand as she ventures through historical sites and museums. Most of the time she lives in Florida—but she can also be found traveling the country by RV.  

Torben Kuhlmann is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator. Starting in kindergarten he became known as “the draftsman.” Flying machines and rich historical detail often adorn his work. He lives in Hamburg, Germany.

Flight for Freedom: The Wetzel Family’s Daring Escape from East Germany

Sharon Skinner

Ward Jenkins

Jose dreams of flying. So he buys some rocket shoes and jets into the atmosphere. But all those spins, kicks, and airborne tricks cause such a ruckus that the mayor bans the shoes. Then, during a terrible snowstorm, Jose hears a cry: his neighbor’s in danger–and he can only help her if he flies. Will Jose dare to break the rules and save the day?

Rocket Shoes

Gus Gordon

George has absolutely no interest in exploring the world. None at all.

He’s far too busy enjoying his home life and baking delicious pastries. Or so he tells all his friends when they invite him along on their wonderful adventures.

But when George’s friend Pascal digs a little deeper, the real reason George refuses to travel away from home is finally revealed . . . From the children’s book author of the acclaimed Herman and Rosie comes Gus Gordon’s Somewhere Else.

Somewhere Else

John Himmelman

Blah! Mr. Raisin is a bit of a grump. He lives all alone in a little house, and he likes it that way just fine. One day, a mysterious basket appears on Mr. Raisin’s doorstep. When he opens it up, it seems there’s nothing inside . . . until he notices a floating dog bobbing along his ceiling. What follows is a heartwarming, hilarious tale about embracing the unexpected—and finding friendship that takes you to new heights.

Floaty

Peter Bently

The sheep on the hillside were munching away, much as they always did, day after day, when suddenly something went ZOOM overhead! “Let’s go and see what it is!” they all said. And so begins a ripping, round-the-world adventure as the magnificent sheep take to skies in their spiffing, yellow flying machine…

Those Magnificent Sheep In Their Flying Machines

Michael Slack

A chant-along companion to Monkey Truck features a heroic, fire-fighting elephant who bravely patrols the skies above the Savannah with her fire-hose nose, putting out fires and rescuing her fellow animals.

Elecopter

Rob Biddulph

Come on an unexpected journey with a fearless blue penguin in Rob Biddulph’s debut picture book, Blown Away. In this brilliantly captivating and gloriously illustrated story, a brave young penguin takes a kite flight to a tropical paradise. But in the end, he realizes that home is where his igloo is.

Blown Away

Migy England

Mr. Fox is going to the moon! Away he goes in his hot air balloon. . . . But wait! Can Elephant come too? Sure! Let’s bring along some pizza. What about Giraffe? And Squirrel? Everyone is welcome in Mr. Fox’s balloon, but look out–will everyone fit? In the tradition of classic cumulative tales like Mr. Gumpy’s Outing, Migy’s And Away We Go! is an unforgettable debut picture book from an exciting new talent.

And Away We Go!

Alice Bowsher

Ziggy Hanaor

Fly just wants to have fun flying, but everyone she meets thinks she’s doing it all WRONG!

Fly is happily practicing her flying in the park, doing some wibbles and some wobbles and some waveys. Blackbird, Seagull, Starling and Hawk take turns giving Fly advice about the best way to fly; fly in a straight line, glide on the wind, fly in a flock, dive onto your food…. Fly tries to take their advice on board, but each time finds that this is not HER way to fly. With a sweet, witty twist at the end, this is a delightful book about staying true to yourself in the face of people who insist they know better.

Fly Flies

Katarina Macurova

individuality

Laugh-out-loud picture book about embracing your own unique gifts.

Eddie is a bird, but he can’t fly! His friend Ernest, a bear, decides he’s going to help Eddie learn to fly–with hilarious and unanticipated results. Along the way, both Ernest and Eddie learn some valuable lessons. Is Eddie even meant to fly? Or is there something else he’s even better at?

Quirky and fun, Teaching Eddie to Fly will have kids laughing while challenging them to think about what they’re good at, and what makes them unique.

Teaching Eddie to Fly

Dan Richards

Jeff Newman

Dan Richards teams up with celebrated artist, Jeff Newman, to share a funny and vibrant picture book about how powerful a child’s imagination can be…with a little encouragement.

Evan asks a simple question, “Can one balloon make an elephant fly?”

At first, his mother is too busy to answer. But when she takes the time to play the game with her son…magic happens.

Can One Balloon Make an Elephant Fly?

Nosy Crow

Esther Aarts

“Follow the holes to read the story in this interactive flying adventure! Little ones will love finding the holes with their fingers, peeping through and turning the page to see what they become. With a gentle rhyming text encouraging children to say what they can spy in every scene, this is a journey through the stars to visit time and time again.”–Provided by publisher.

Look, There's a Helicopter!

Brian Floca

Here is the story of the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon – a story of leaving and returning during the summer of 1969, and a story of home, seen whole, from far away by steady astronauts in their great machines.

Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11

Michael Rack

Graham Ross

outer space

rockets

imagination and play

3…2…1… KAA-BOOM! Edward blasts into space on a magical tour of the Milky Way with meteor showers, asteroids, and aliens. This brightly illustrated adventure is one you definitely won’t forget!

Edward Built a Rocketship

Alice Provensen

Martin Provensen

aviation

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, this stunningly illustrated book depicts Louis Bleriot’s historic first cross-Channel flight.

“Factually accurate, yes-but also a witty pictorial reincarnation of Bleriot’s first experience of an airship”—Kirkus Reviews

The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot July 25, 1909

Leslie Gorin

Brendan Kearney

Bertie the birdie knows: he’s ready to fly from the nest and into the sky. But whenever he’s about to take wing, his fellow feathered friends squawk at him to STOP and follow their advice instead. But not one of these “experts”–the persuasive penguin, the emu, or the kiwi–has ever actually flown! Will Bertie learn to trust his own instincts . . . and soar?

Bertie Wings It!

Xavier Deneux

A bird arrives, alights on a tree, finds a mate, and builds a nest. Soon its eggs will hatch and one brave hatchling will embark on its first flight. A deceptively simple and joyful celebration of the natural cycle of life, this book adds the bonus of removable—and movable—characters and scenery to the bestselling TouchThinkLearn format, featuring the hallmark production technique of glued-on pieces dovetailing with die-cut openings. In this first narrative title in the series, the movable pieces invite and involve the reader in a meaningful and multisensory participation in the story.

TouchThinkLearn: Fly!

Marcie Colleen

Emma Yarlett

Orville lives at the zoo, surrounded by animal pals who go on exciting adventures. A hang gliding rhino! A deep-sea diving giraffe! Orville struggles to keep up, until one day he concocts an adventure all his own: build a spaceship and fly to the moon all by himself. Can one tiny penguin get there alone?

Penguinaut is perfect for every child who’s said, “I can do it myself!” and comes to find that the rewards are much richer when shared with friends. Marcie Colleen’s playful text and Emma Yarlett’s charming, whimsical illustrations are sure to delight both children and their parents.

Penguinaut!

Marie Alafaci

Shane McG

Zelda has big plans—she wants to be the first chicken in space. She leaves nothing to chance as she builds her spaceship, plans her experiments, and packs for the journey. All she needs now is a little help from her friends, and if they won’t step up, Zelda will just have to manage on her own! Eye-popping art and a story of perseverance and ingenuity prove that for a plucky hen, the sky is never the limit.

This modern twist on the traditional The Little Red Hen story features an endearing and resourceful chicken determined to fulfill her dream

Zelda's Big Adventure

Tim McCanna

Tad Carpenter

“All of the bots in Botsburg are powering down for the night…but Bitty Bot isn’t tired! Bitty decides to build a rocket and go on a space adventure instead of going to sleep”–

Bitty Bot

Lita Judge

Penguin mastered his quest to soar with the eagles in Flight School—now he’s heading home to teach his friends in this sweet and inspiring stand-alone companion story!

 Penguin loves everything about flying: the wind beneath his wings, the song that rises from his belly, and the sight of new and wonderful places.

 Still, he misses his penguin friends in the South Pole. So, he flips and flaps back home, ready to teach them the magic of flight!

 But when he arrives, his enthusiasm for flying doesn’t get quite the reaction he expected. Will Penguin’s friends still like him, even if they don’t share his soaring dreams?

Penguin Flies Home

Zachariah OHora

Momo is coming to visit, and his cousins are SO excited! But even though Momo is a flying squirrel, he won’t fly for his cousin’s friends. Plus, his games are weird. He can’t even play hide and seek right! But when Momo’s cousins give his strange ways a chance, they realize that doing things differently can be fun…almost as much fun as making a new friend.

My Cousin Momo

A persevering penguin is determined to fly in this adorably inspiring picture book from the creator of Red Hat and Red Sled. Although little Penguin has the soul of an eagle, his body wasn’t built to soar. But Penguin has an irrepressible spirit, and he adamantly follows his dreams to flip, flap, fly! Even if he needs a little help with the technical parts, this penguin is ready to live on the wind.

Flight School

Ruth Spiro

Irene Chan

Big, brainy science for the littlest listeners Accurate enough to satisfy an expert, yet simple enough for baby, this book explores the basics of flight - from birds, to planes and rockets - and ties it all to baby’s world. Beautiful, visually stimulating illustrations complement age-appropriate language to encourage baby’s sense of wonder. Parents and caregivers may learn a thing or two, as well!

Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering!

flight

Jacob has a special gift–he can fly!When his parents plan a trip to the sea, Jacob says he will fly there himself. Along the way, he meets new friends and has wonderful adventures. And when his bird friends need help, Jacob and the flock work together to rescue their friend and outsmart the nefarious birdcatcher. With gorgeous illustrations and a humorous, resonant story about independence, kindness, and embracing the unknown, Jacob’s Fantastic Flight shows what happens when a child uses their strengths and differences to help others in need. Printed on FSC-certified paper with vegetable-based inks.

Jacob's Fantastic Flight

Kersten Hamilton

Valeria Petrone

When a teacher gets stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel at the fair, cranes and planes can’t reach her. The only one who might have a chance is Yellow Copter!

With a rollicking rhyme and candy-colored illustrations, this is the perfect read-aloud for any fan of machines that are big, make loud noises, or fly—or all three at once.

Yellow Copter

The Highest Mountain of Books in the World

Frances Barry

How does a caterpillar become a butterfly? Open out the petal-shaped pages, one by one, and watch a transformation unfold. First there’s a tiny egg on a leaf, then a caterpillar hatching, just big enough to see. Look at the caterpillar munching away, growing and shedding layers of skin so it can grow some more. Follow as it spins a thread into a green and golden chrysalis, hanging in the sun. Are you ready to see a glorious transformation when all the page turns are done? Cleverly leading readers through each stage of the caterpillar’s life cycle, Caterpillar to Butterfly is sure to set curiosity into flight.

Caterpillar to Butterfly

Jason Carter Eaton

Matt Rockefeller

An afternoon of popping soap bubbles takes a turn for the adventuresome as Dewey races to pop that one elusive bubble that keeps…getting…away! Full color.

Pop!

James Russell

Link Choi

Don’t miss Flynn and Paddy’s latest adventures with their new pet dragon, and get in on the action with augmented reality! The boys were unaware(at least until quite recently),that dragons roamed across their landin startling quantities.Thanks to their last adventure,they’d got one for a pet.the trouble was they didn’t knowquite what to feed him yet.Thanks to an unexpected adventure, brothers Flynn and Paddy have recently acquired a pet dragon. One day, their dragon, Elton John, takes them on an impromptu ride through the sky, right into the heart of a dragon gathering…

The Dragon Riders

Eileen Spinelli

Vincent Nguyen

After learning that a bee’s body is too chunky for flight, Buzz the bumblebee defies the laws of aerodynamics to save a friend in need.

Buzz

Benji Davies

Bizzy Bear is exploring space! With sliders and tabs to push and pull, there’s lots of interactivity for toddlers as Bizzy blasts off, glides past aliens, and jumps around on the moon. The perfect book for little ones who dream of being astronauts!

Bizzy Bear: Space Rocket

Lisa Brown

Follow a family and the youngest member’s favorite sock monkey through all the inner and outer workings of an airport.

In a book that is as intriguing as it is useful and entertaining, we follow a family on its way through the complexities of a modern-day airport. From checking bags and watching them disappear on the mysterious conveyor belt, to security clearance and a seemingly endless wait at the gate to finally being airborne.

But wait! There’s more! The youngest family member’s sock monkey has gone missing. Follow it at the bottom of the page as it makes a journey as memorable as that of the humans above.

The Airport Book

Taro Gomi

Little Plane is learning to fly! When you’re small and on the go, there’s a lot to watch out for: tall trees, muddy hills, and more! With wings aloft, Little Plane keeps flying, weathering the bumps along the way with his initiative, confidence, and positive attitude. This colorful follow-up to Little Boat and Little Truck by beloved author-illustrator Taro Gomi is a must for toddlers launching upward to big adventures!

Little Plane

Here’s a new picture book from the successful and popular Jedda Robaard. It’s a story about perseverance and reaching for your dreams, no matter how high they seem! Stanley is a little monster that has a big dream: his one big wish is to visit the moon. Stanley’s dad tells him that he can do anything he sets his mind to. So one night, Stanley comes up with a plan. He gathers up all his space books, notes, and sketches. After a few failed attempts, Stanley’s wish comes true!

Stanley the Sock Monster Goes to the Moon

Tom Fletcher

Dougie Poynter

Garry Parsons

One boy. One space rocket. One very hungry dinosaur. The ingredients for an explosive space adventure. But when Danny realizes he’s forgotten Dino’s lunch box, the very hungry dinosaur eats everything in sight, including their only way home: the rocket! How will Dino get them back home?

The Dinosaur That Pooped a Planet!

Eugene  Yelchin

An adorable baby hare springs into an adventure, following his human friend up, up, and away in this flight of fancy. He follows his friend ever higher, flying through fluffy white clouds, chasing a red airplane through a flock of geese, and soaring into space on a rocket ship, before catching a ride on a shooting star back down to earth—and into his friend’s waiting arms. With bright, kid-friendly collage, this is a beautiful and accessible celebration of Spring and the imagination!

Spring Hare

Linzie Hunter

Lisl H. Detlefsen

A fun and creative answer to the question “what would YOU do if you had a jetpack?” perfect for fans of Boy and Bot and How to Train a Train.

Having a jetpack is fun–if you know what to do with one. 

If you had a jetpack, you could:
  •  Teach your brother how to build one too.
  •  Demonstrate its usefulness at Show and Share Time at school.
  •  Give your principal a ride home.
  •  Fly south to visit your nana.
  •  Visit the astronauts on the space station and help with anything that needed fixing.
Join one inventive little rabbit as he and his brother put their new jetpack to good use!

“An energetic, crowd-pleasing read-aloud that can be revisited again and again.”–SLJ

“This vivid picture book will leave kids longing for jetpacks, while taking off on their own flights of fancy.”–Booklist

If You Had a Jetpack

Jonathan Ashley

Explore outer outer space where dastardly villains await in this hilarious and inventive illustrated middle grade novel. Brooklyn, Earth. 1949. Lily Lupino is going to be an astronaut when she grows up. For now, she’ll have to settle for listening to science fiction programs on the radio. But when certified Spacetronaut Kosmo Kidd crash lands his wind-up rocket ship in Lily’s kitchen, it’s a chance Lily can’t pass up! Mistaking Lily for a boy, Kosmo agrees to take her back to his floating treehouse in the stars, but it doesn’t take long for the other Spacetronauts to figure out that Lily is a girl. Kosmo has accidentally broken Spacetronaut Rule #1: NO WIMMEN ALOWD! Banished to the far reaches of Outer Outer Space, Lily and Kosmo explore exotic alien worlds, meet a menagerie of colorful creatures, and tangle with the vilest villain in space, The Mean-Man of Morgo. But Lily’s greatest challenge is proving to her new Spacetronaut peers that a girl from Brooklyn can hold her own among the galaxy’s unruliest rascals.

Top 10 Flight Books