First Air Voyage in America - Hardcover

Wallner, Alexandra

9780823412242: First Air Voyage in America

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0823412245 ISBN 13: 9780823412242

Publisher: Holiday House, 1996

An introduction to the great early balloonist follows Blanchard's construction of a hot-air balloon, his history-making first flights, his achievements in England and America, the scientific experiments he conducted, and the first air-mail letter.

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From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3?On January 9, 1793, Jean-Pierre Blanchard, accompanied by a dog, made the first hot-air balloon flight in America, from Philadelphia to Woodbury, NJ. Along the way, he carried out several scientific experiments. Drawing heavily on The First Air Voyage in America (Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1943; o.p.), this is a simple but lively account of the adventure, illustrated with charming, cartoonlike paintings that evoke the times. Wallner also briefly chronicles Blanchard's earlier European flights. This book would fit comfortably with titles such as Chris Demarest's Lindbergh (Crown, 1993) and the Provensens' The Glorious Flight (Viking, 1983). However, Wallner's version of the event includes a number of little discrepancies. The colors of the balloon and basket differ from press accounts, and the vignette of the dog nearly falling out of the basket seems to be invented. Also, while it is likely that future presidents Adams, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe saw the lift-off, it is not known whether all were present in the prison yard from which the balloon took off. Finally, while Dolly Madison may have been there as well, in January, 1793, she was Dolly Todd; her marriage to Madison took place in 1794. While these inaccuracies are annoying, it is good that Wallner has seen fit to resurrect a nearly forgotten bit of aviation history. One hopes that readers will be inspired to look for further information on Blanchard and his remarkable accomplishments.?Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

A charming book biography, subtitled ``The Story of Jean- Pierre Blanchard,'' about an early aeronaut and his 1793 balloon trip across New Jersey, as he might have narrated it. His first- person account parallels events shown in one or more pictures per spread, in which characters in 18th-century dress against 18th- century backdrops cheer Blanchard on, comment on his travails, or provide additional information in speech bubbles. Most of their chatter appears in French (with minor misspellings) and German, but the phrases are simple and there's a glossary in the back. Pale colors predominate, contrasting in many scenes with the bold stripes of the balloon. In few pages and relatively few words, Wallner (Beatrix Potter, 1995, etc.) conveys plenty of information about Blanchard and his preferred means of transport. (notes, glossary) (Picture book/biography. 6-10) -- Copyright �1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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