Lighter Than Air: Sophie Blanchard, the First Woman Pilot

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 20, 2017

Review

Expertly written by Smith and beautifully illustrated by Tavares, this book tells that story of the exploits of early balloonists around the turn of the 19th century, and, specifically, of Sophie Armant Blanchard, first woman to pilot a balloon alone. Sophie lived at a time when women were not encouraged to leave the home, so the fact that she dared to soar above the world was remarkable! Sophie caught the flying bug as a girl watching birds dip and dive over ocean. When she met balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard, she realized that her dream could be fulfilled, her passion fed; she could soar with the birds. The Blanchards were caught up in the headiness of drifting above the Earth, lighter than air. With luminescent illustrations by Tavares, this cross-discipline story, part biography, part history of early flight, will appeal to readers interested in stories of little known, strong women in history, and those enamored of stories about the engineering of flight, or can be used in a biographical study in class, or as a read aloud in a story time focused on great feats, unknown people in history, or perserverance (since Sophie didn't give up despite strong opposition to her flying). Give to readers of Wright Brothers stories or pair with the Science Comics GN Flying Machines: How the Wright Brothers Soared, or with stories of strong girls like Drum Dream Girl. Includes an author's note and an illustrator's note along with a selected bibliography for further reading. An excellent addition to a library collection.

Overall Book Score: excellent