Jenny: The Airplane That Taught America to Fly

The Curtiss Jenny was the Model T of airplanes: it was the first aircraft to be mass produced, and the one in which nearly every famous early aviator--from Charles Lindbergh to Amelia Earhart--learned to fly. This stunning nonfiction picture bok portrays the building of a Jenny from wood, wire, and cloth, bringing to life the science and art of the early days of flight.

About the Author :
David Weitzman's books include" Model T. Lococmotive: Building an Eight-wheeler, " and" Old Ironsides: Americans Build a Fighting Ship." He lives in Covelo, California.

Review :
Booklist Weitzman excels at detailing machinery. . . . This telescopic view of a unique airplane will fascinate some children, and this will be great for kids interested in early aviation, especially as the Wright brothers' anniversary draws near  School Library Journal  To frame his history, Weitzman invents a grandmother who tells children about their great grandma's aviation career, first as a worker in Curtiss's factory, then as a pilot.  The step-by step account of the Jenny's development and construction is accompanied by large drawings of near-technical precision and detail, all sandwiched between photos of women pilots in both World Wars, plus a labeled, cutaway view of the Jenny on the endpapers.  Students of the early history of flight, particularly of the parts played in it by women, and by the ungainly looking but sturdy, reliable Jenny, will wing their way through this warm tribute, and may opt for return flights, too.  Publishers We Booklist Weitzman excels at detailing machinery. . . . This telescopic view of a unique airplane will fascinate some children, and this will be great for kids interested in early aviation, especially as the Wright brothers' anniversary draws near School Library Journal To frame his history, Weitzman invents a grandmother who tells children about their great grandma's aviation career, first as a worker in Curtiss's factory, then as a pilot. The step-by step account of the Jenny's development and construction is accompanied by large drawings of near-technical precision and detail, all sandwiched between photos of women pilots in both World Wars, plus a labeled, cutaway view of the Jenny on the endpapers. Students of the early history of flight, particularly of the parts played in it by women, and by the ungainly looking but sturdy, reliable Jenny, will wing their way through this warm tribute, and may opt for return flights, too. Publishers Weekly Jenny: The Airplane That Taught America to Fly by David Weitzman joins his series of historical picture books. Told from the perspective of a former pilot sharing stories with her grandchildren, the volume chronicles the Curtiss JN4-D (nicknamed "the Model T of airplanes" for its mass production) from manufacture to flight. B&w drawings provide an up-close perspective on the plane's construction during WWI, from its sturdy wood-and-fabric wings to its lightweight engine; endpapers contain labeled diagrams.