Violet the Pilot

Both my boys(5 and 2) loved this book. This book had everything. It also initiated some great conversations especially regarding empathy. It's is just short enough to be read over and over again in one night!! I liked how Violet did her own thing. We took time to discuss the parts were the other kids were rude to her how they would deal if they were put in that situation from both sides. We were able to talk about how to perserver when things go wrong (keep inventing). There is also a huge disappointment for Violet and we were able to discuss what the right thing was to do. This book opened many venues of discussion, from bullying, to perserverance, be your own person, helping others, be creative, how to handle disappointment, etc.

I happened across this book at our local library and it instantly became an all-time favorite of my three-year old son. He is allowed three stories each night and he always wanted to hear Violet the Pilot. Strong story and great artwork make for a book that not only captivated my son, but kept me from becoming bored after 20+ readings.

Violet, a mechanical genius, could repair almost any appliance by the time she was two. At age eight she started to build elaborate flying contraptions from spare parts and machinery that she salvaged from the family business, a junkyard next door. Accompanied by her faithful and fearless dog (aptly named Orville), Violet flies the local skies in her innovative flying machines. She reads Popular Science Monthly for new ideas and dreams about winning a prize at the upcoming air show. Perhaps a blue ribbon would end the relentless teasing from the children at school and garner her some newfound respect. En route to the air show, Violet uses her latest flying invention to become a hero in an entirely unexpected way. This book is superb. With its gifted female protagonist and clever storyline, Violet the Pilot packs a powerful punch with lessons about innovation, human resources, and women in science. Steve Breen's delightful illustrations are marked by a sense of humor, expressive facial features, and skillful attention to detail (witness the posters of Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart in Violet's bedroom). The blend of entertainment, emotional fluctuations, and substantive content make this book an utterly satisfying read for children and adults alike.

This is a great book. Just like the author's Stick book, it has the potential for additional stories in the artwork. We constantly go off the normal story path to talk about and imagine stories on each page. It's a lot of fun and inspires the imagination for my 4 and 2 year old children.

I have a three year old, and it's a little advanced for her, but it still makes the point that girls can make a difference. Besides beautiful illustrations and narration with just the right balance of levity and scientific talk, Violet is a great hero. She's upbeat and determined and has supportive parents to boot. For a kid like mine who is just beginning to notice the difference in genders, I'm happy to have found this!