Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride: Based on a True Story

Rating:
Summary: Great Gift for Little Girls
Review: As the parent of a curious 5-year-old, I've been disappointed by the scarcity of historical and biographical books aimed at very young children. My daughter had an interest in Amelia Earhart since she first saw her "red plane" at the Smithsonian, so I took a gamble and bought this book for her at Christmas time...and she loved it. In fact, she liked it so much that she's insisted on giving it to several of her girl friends as gifts. It was a big hit with them as well. In fact a couple of their mothers have asked me where I got it (Amazon, of course), and whether the author has written any other children's books.

The story is simple, fun, historical, and symbolically significant (without being didactic or political). The black and white illustrations are interesting to look at, and very detailed (even the pattern on the White House china in the background is historically accurate).

With their colorful personalities, and the strength to defy cultural expectations, Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt make great role models for little girls -- and it doesn't hurt for them to understand that the freedoms they will surely take for granted in their lives were won for all of us by women like these.

Rating:
Summary: Best Friends and Amazing People
Review: Before I read this book, I didn't know much about either of these women. I also couldn't see how you could compare them. But after reading it I realized that these women are indeed alike. They both love to be different, and to do out-of-the-ordinary things. The book has them going on 2 adventures together, each doing the things they love. During these adventures they wear their evening dresses. It is a great story about two amazing women.

Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE FOR ANY LIBRARY
Review: This is one of the most charming stories I have ever owned. It is even better because it is based in reality with the contrast of dream like illustrations. It has the wonderful qualities of one of those sweet and magical black and white movies. My five year old wants me to read it to her again and again. Between this book and select I Love Lucy episodes I am showing her, she is realizing that black and white media can be relevant to her. It doesn't have to be color and have a special effect to be great. A wonderful book that adults will fall in love with as much as children.