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THE NOISY AIRPLANE RIDE

Name: THE NOISY AIRPLANE RIDE
Author: Mike Downs
ISBN: 1-58246-091-4

by Mike Downs & illustrated by David Gordon ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2003

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From thumping down the extended Jetway (“STOMP, STOMP, TROMP”) into the aircraft, to running out at flight’s end to Grandma’s “HELLO!,” this account of an air journey focuses on the typical—normal—noises a passenger might hear. Downs, a professional pilot, provides rhymed explanations for the whines and dings, whooshes and roars an anxious young traveler and his parents hear as they buckle up, take off, use the restroom, spill a drink, and other common occurrences—all of which Gordon depicts in reassuringly bland, digitally created onboard scenes. Closing with a sometimes tongue-in-cheek catalogue of further sounds (“MUZAK . . . you might want to bring earplugs for this special treat during the boarding process”), this makes a contribution both cogent and soothing to the scanty library of preflight, or in-flight, reading matter for young, infrequent fliers. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: May 1, 2003

ISBN: 1-58246-091-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Tricycle

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2003

Categories:

CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
A TREASURE OF MEASURES
by Mike Downs ; illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz

- BOOK REVIEW
THE FLYING MAN
by Mike Downs ; illustrated by David Hohn

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THE ELEPHANT AND THE SEA

by Ed Vere ; illustrated by Ed Vere ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 7, 2024

A charming winner about purpose, bravery, and making one’s dreams come true.

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Dedication and determination are everything.

Gabriel, an old elephant who lives by the sea, reminisces about visiting a lifeboat as a youngster. He loved watching the crew ready it to rescue sailors and enjoyed listening to them sing sea shanties. He longed to be so brave! When Gabriel asked to join them, they told him to return when he was older and stronger. Gabriel read about storms and sea rescues and practiced rowing. He grew older, stronger, and BIGGER. By the time he returned to the crew, Gabriel had unfortunately grown too large to fit into the boat. More intent than ever, Gabriel constructed his own vessel, singing mightily. Meanwhile, the fishing fleet set out, then ran into big trouble when a strong gale hit. The regular lifeboat team couldn’t help. Guess who rescued the sailors safely with his own powerful vessel? In the end, everyone decided to build a larger craft to accommodate everyone. By turns thrilling and warmly reassuring, this story demonstrates that resolve—and inclusion—wins out; readers will cheer for Gabriel all the way. Sailing through the narrative are vigorous shanties readers might well join in on. Fitting his animal cast out in thick sweaters and raincoats, Vere brings the Cornish setting to life beautifully. Gabriel cuts an endearing figure in the lively illustrations, rendered in a limited palette of soft oranges, grays, and blues.

A charming winner about purpose, bravery, and making one’s dreams come true. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: May 7, 2024

ISBN: 9780525580904

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE ARTIST
by Ed Vere ; illustrated by Ed Vere

- BOOK REVIEW
HOW TO BE A LION
by Ed Vere ; illustrated by Ed Vere

- BOOK REVIEW
MAX AND BIRD
by Ed Vere ; illustrated by Ed Vere

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TRASHY TOWN

by Andrea Zimmerman & David Clemesha ; illustrated by Dan Yaccarino ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 30, 1999

Part of a spate of books intent on bringing the garbage collectors in children’s lives a little closer, this almost matches...

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Listeners will quickly take up the percussive chorus—“Dump it in, smash it down, drive around the Trashy town! Is the trash truck full yet? NO”—as they follow burly Mr. Gilly, the garbage collector, on his rounds from park to pizza parlor and beyond.

Flinging cans and baskets around with ease, Mr. Gilly dances happily through streetscapes depicted with loud colors and large, blocky shapes; after a climactic visit to the dump, he roars home for a sudsy bath.

Part of a spate of books intent on bringing the garbage collectors in children’s lives a little closer, this almost matches Eve Merriam’s Bam Bam Bam (1995), also illustrated by Yaccarino, for sheer verbal and visual volume. (Picture book. 5-7)