Author: Wendie C. Old Illustrator: Robert Andrew Parker Clarion Books September 2002
Synopsis (From Publisher):
Orville and Wilbur Wright were a fascinating pair. Not only did they invent, build, and fly the first airplane, they were also idiosyncratic individuals who had a unique relationship, sharing a home, a bank account, and a business throughout their lives. Their story is portrayed here in brief, accessible chapters, beginning with their childhood fascination with flight and love of problem solving, then detailing their early experiments and dangerous trial runs in North Carolina, and ending with their successful flights of 1903. This well-researched and personable biography is illustrated with elegant watercolors by flight enthusiast and noted artist Robert Andrew Parker. Timeline, endnotes, bibliography.
CWR Review:
Ever wonder where our airplanes came from? Sure, you have heard of the Wright brothers, but have you ever truly understood their story? Wendie Old tells you all about it in this exciting story of the lives of these extraordinary men. Inventors and idealists at heart, neither finished high school but instead focused on developing their ideas and interests. Their interests in bikes propelled them to open a bike shop together. From there a desire for learning how to design manned gliders, that can be controlled by the flyer, took hold. The love for flight remained. They used their time and resources to seek to control flight, and numerous failed attempts and experiments only encouraged them to perfect their craft. Alas, they succeeded!
I enjoy a story that’ll encourage creativity, productivity, use of imagination, ability to design, and a desire to succeed despite many failed attempts (endurance). I want to instill this kind of attitude and character in my children. To do all the good they can and to be as productive as they can knowing that their time is not their own. We have been bought with a price, let’s use our time wisely! The author tells their life story beautifully, succinctly, and even clearly lays out the puzzle they had to solve to figure out how to give a pilot full control of a flying machine.
The illustrations were executed in watercolor. There is a slight cartoonish feel, but it’s not overly done or distracting. On the contrary, it is subtle, kind on the eye, and goes well with the text it accompanies. The vocabulary is high enough to keep a highschoolerβs (or adult for that matter!) interest but can still be understood by elementary aged children (though there are some detailed flight facts that may turn off a very young child). The story spans from the young family life to their first successful flight, stopping just before Wilburβs death. This is an excellent retelling of two extraordinary lives!
Inspiring, encouraging, motivatingβ¦.get yours here or here
Themes: aerospace, first airplane, history of American flight, Wright brothers, American inventors
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