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

Rating:
Summary: Flight of the Frenchman
Review: Alice and Martin Provensen certainly had a good run in the early 1980s. First there was their Newberry-winning-Caldecott-Honor-attaining, "A Visit to William Blake's Inn" (which I'm not a fan, but oh well) and then their very own Caldecott winning, "The Glorious Flight". If you were randomly scanning the shelves of your local library and you stumbled upon this book, you might consider it an early picture book. The story's muted color schemes and simple characters give it a particularly classic feel, unlike anything else you might find in contemporary tales. This may not be THE most exciting book in the world (the Provensens excel in moods and tones rather than fast-paced adrenaline rushes) but there is a lovely feel to it that outweighs its occasional lapses into deadened flatness.

Voila, Monsieur Louis Bleriot (who, for purposes that remain unclear, is referred to here as a very un-French "Mr."). A well-to-do man of France in 1901, Bleriot lives a contented existence with his spouse, five children, cat, dog, and cockatoo. Just your average bourgeoisie. All that changes one day when up above the city streets Bleriot spots a remarkable new invention. It's a great white airship circling the skies. Suddenly, much like Toad in "Wind in the Willows", Bleriot is entranced and mesmerized by the contraption. Says our hero, "I, too, will build a flying machine". The book chronicles his various attempts, each growing more sophisticated as Bleriot himself grows more learned. Finally, he enters a contest to be the first man to fly across the English Channel and, after some tense moments, succeeds and wins. Says the text, "Truly, it was a glorious flight".

Indeed. It's a nice story too. In many of their books, the Provenses' style strikes the reader as a bit lacking in basic human emotions and warmth. In this case, however, it works perfectly within the text. The illustrations in this story are like old posed family portraits, only with a twinge more life and verve to them. The colors are, as I said before, muted. Yet somehow this doesn't bore the reader or even so much as put them to sleep. I think this may have something to do with the fact that this book, in the end, is a biography of sorts. Based on true events, the unnatural style and shades fit better than over-the-top bright/gaudy colors ever could have.

It's somewhat backhanded praise, but praise just the same when I say that in spite of my deep down dislike of the Provensens' other books, I could not help but like, "The Glorious Flight". It really isn't going to deeply capture the attention of any children but those interested in history, France, or flying machines. A nice story that somehow garnered itself a Caldecott Award. And it's nice to page through.


Rating:
Summary: The story of the first man to fly across the English Channel
Review: Of course there were important aviation pioneers in between the Wright Brothers and Charles Lindbergh, and "The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel With Louise Bleriot, July 25, 1909" tells about one of the more important ones. In 1901 Louis Bleriot had made a fortune off of his invention of an automobile searchlight. Out for a drive with his family he sees a great white airship over the city of Cambrai. From that day forward, Louis Bleriot had but one wish: to build a flying machine. This charming book by Alice and Martin Provensen follows this quest from the development of the "Bleriot I" (too small for anyone to sit in) to the "Bleriot II" glider until finally with the "Bleriot VII" Louis had an aeroplane that could really fly. Then the only thing left to do was to prove what an aeroplane can really do and win the prize for being the first man to fly across the England Channel.

The story being told is simple and straightforward, but it is the artwork that young readers will find so captivating because it conveys the sense of time and place so well. However, it would have been nice to see what some of these planes looked like before Louis cracked them up. Still, this is the simple lesson of perseverance and the courage of your convictions told in simple words and with memorable illustrations. It is also good that young readers learn that there were actually famous aviation pioneers who did not live in the United States.

Remember: It is only seven years until the 100th anniversary of Bleriot's flight. Bet you sometime rebuilds the "Bleriot XI" and tries to duplicate his feat.

Rating:
Summary: And the world started getting smaller!
Review: This children's book is an account of the famous French aviation pioneer, Louis Bleriot (1872-1936) who was the first person to fly across the English Channel (on July 25, 1909). The book won the 1984 Caldecott Medal for best illustrations in a book for children. IT is an excellent book for use in a discussion of history, particularly the history of aviation.