The Adventures of Arnold A. Airplane is a fun, charming, well written little book about the adventures of a young airplane and the lessons he is learning about life and about fun, family and flight. The plot itself is compelling enough to hold the attention of even young children who will need the story read to them by an adult. The author uses age appropriate language in fun, rhyme form to provide children with gentle lessons about faith and family that will appeal to all ages. The author is a grandfather and begins the book with a dedication page to his newest grandson. The writing in "The Adventures of Arnold A. Airplane" is fluid and imaginative. The illustrations are bright and whimsical with an added bonus of pictures of the "real" Arnold.....Editor
Over bridges and ridges and rivers and springs,
Flying higher and higher on his strong little wings.
He was feeling so good he thought he would try
loops and rolls and punch holes in the sky.
He remembered what Mom said, but thought “She’s not along”.
The sky is so clear what on earth could go wrong?”
Flying higher and higher on his strong little wings.
He was feeling so good he thought he would try
loops and rolls and punch holes in the sky.
He remembered what Mom said, but thought “She’s not along”.
The sky is so clear what on earth could go wrong?”
Review
A young airplane goes on his first flight, gets into some trouble and learns it’s always best to obey his parents.
Arnold A. Airplane is a young biplane (his mother is also a biplane, but his father is a jet) who decides to go for his first
solo flight rather than play with his friends. His mother reminds him to follow her rules—no rolls, flips or other
dangerous stunts—and to remember all the things he’s been told as he flies. He promises to be good, but once up in the
air, he remembers the rules yet decides to forget them since his parents aren’t around; he practices loops and barrel rolls
until he makes himself sick, becoming so dizzy he nearly crashes. Then he remembers his father’s advice to be calm in
the face of danger. Once he calms down, he’s able to fly again, but just when he thinks he’s out of danger, he realizes
there’s nowhere to land. Losing hope, he discovers that he’s had more help than he thought the whole time. The author’s
endearing rhyming prose will be easy for young readers to understand, though it’s complex enough for adults to enjoy
reading with the kids. The enjoyable illustrations are simple line drawings in bright colors, with a few photographs
featuring a model-type Arnold, whose facial expressions are always lively. The story, meanwhile, has an emphasis on
listening to elders, learning from parents and trusting in the love of family. Arnold isn’t in danger long enough to worry
younger readers, but his journey has enough action for kids to be excited to find out what happens next.
Young readers will love the cute rhymes and illustrations, and parents will appreciate the tender message.
Kirkus Indie, Kirkus Media LLC, 6411 Burleson Rd., Austin, TX 78744
indie@kirkusreviews.
Arnold A. Airplane is a young biplane (his mother is also a biplane, but his father is a jet) who decides to go for his first
solo flight rather than play with his friends. His mother reminds him to follow her rules—no rolls, flips or other
dangerous stunts—and to remember all the things he’s been told as he flies. He promises to be good, but once up in the
air, he remembers the rules yet decides to forget them since his parents aren’t around; he practices loops and barrel rolls
until he makes himself sick, becoming so dizzy he nearly crashes. Then he remembers his father’s advice to be calm in
the face of danger. Once he calms down, he’s able to fly again, but just when he thinks he’s out of danger, he realizes
there’s nowhere to land. Losing hope, he discovers that he’s had more help than he thought the whole time. The author’s
endearing rhyming prose will be easy for young readers to understand, though it’s complex enough for adults to enjoy
reading with the kids. The enjoyable illustrations are simple line drawings in bright colors, with a few photographs
featuring a model-type Arnold, whose facial expressions are always lively. The story, meanwhile, has an emphasis on
listening to elders, learning from parents and trusting in the love of family. Arnold isn’t in danger long enough to worry
younger readers, but his journey has enough action for kids to be excited to find out what happens next.
Young readers will love the cute rhymes and illustrations, and parents will appreciate the tender message.
Kirkus Indie, Kirkus Media LLC, 6411 Burleson Rd., Austin, TX 78744
indie@kirkusreviews.
