Amazing Australians in Their Flying Machines
Age 9+
History & The Past: General Interest Picture Books Transport
Author and licensed pilot Prue Mason shares how a handful of early aviators helped Australia reach beyond its borders to lands far away.
Imagine what it was like to travel to far-off places before there were aeroplanes. For early 20th-century Australians, it could take days, weeks, or months just to get where they were going. Amazing Australians and Their Flying Machines tells the stories of ten brave Australians, including the youngest licensed woman pilot Nancy Bird, who took to the skies and changed the face of aviation forever.
Creators
Prue Mason grew up on a farm in South Australia. She is a licensed pilot and has travelled the world working in various jobs, including teaching English as a foreign language and working for a children’s magazine in Dubai. Besides writing, Prue does workshops and gives presentations at schools and writing festivals. In 2005, her first book Camel Rider won the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award and was a Notable Book at the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards. Prue has received several grants towards research for her books, including a May Gibbs fellowship for Amazing Australians in Their Flying Machines.
Tom Jellett has illustrated numerous books for children. He is also been an editorial illustrator for various newspapers throughout Australia. He lives in Sydney.
Reviews
It has humour, well-considered layouts, original photos and stacks of history that includes the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service, for young readers to learn and enjoy. The extensive bibliography for further reference is accompanied by an alphabetized Index. This publication is an invaluable addition to any bookcase, especially so for school libraries.
Kids' Book Review
There should be a space on a shelf in every library for this publication.
Magpies Magazine
