Take to the Skies With These Kids’ Books About Airplanes
by Dena McMurdie
When my children were small, I used to take them to the airport observation park. We packed a picnic lunch, sat on the grass, and watched the airplanes fly overhead while we listened to Gary Allen’s song, “Watching Airplanes.” My kids loved seeing the big metal birds take off and land—and it never failed to get them excited about our next plane trip.
Whether you’re planning to hop on a plane soon or you have a young aviation enthusiast on your hands, here are the best children’s picture books to read with them.
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Board Books:
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Bizzy Bear: Airplane Pilot
Available from:Join Bizzy Bear on a high-flying adventure with this sturdy board book for toddlers. Named an Editor’s Pick by Amazon, it’s no wonder that tiny airplane lovers everywhere have fallen in love with the rhyming text, adorable illustrations, and interactive elements.
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Hello, World! Planes and Other Flying Machines
Available from:Curious young minds will gobble up the fun facts in this exciting board book about flying machines. With simple, engaging sentences and energetic illustrations, it’s the perfect introduction to nonfiction. You can’t go wrong with this one!
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Go, Planes, Go!
Available from:Gentle humor and vibrant illustrations make this compare and contrast board book a must-have for any airplane-obsessed toddler. They’ll love pointing out the different planes, counting wings, and discovering lesser-known aircraft models. If your child enjoys this book, check out the rest of the In Motion Series.
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Picture Books:
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Where Do Jet Planes Sleep at Night?
Available from:Kids that loved reading the modern classic, Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?, will want to read this cozy bedtime story about airplanes. Snuggle up and follow along as little jet planes go through their nightly routine. This gentle and comforting story is also available as a board book for younger readers.
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Alis the Aviator
Available from:Learn your ABCs and aviation history with the first Indigenous female pilot in Canada as your guide. Kids will love exploring this unique alphabet book and poring over its gorgeous cut-paper collage artwork and the fascinating facts it offers.
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My Little Golden Book About Airplanes
Available from:When in doubt, reach for a Little Golden Book! Inside, you’ll find a treasure trove of information about airplanes and pilots throughout history. With fun facts, captivating stories, and lively illustrations, young airplane lovers will want to read it again and again.
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True Stories:
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The Girl Who Could Fix Anything: Beatrice Shilling, World War II Engineer
Available from:Wartime often requires innovation, and Beatrice Shilling made history in World War II when she revamped Britain’s fighter planes. Kids that enjoy learning about history, true stories, and airplanes will enjoy this picture book biography of an unusual and brilliant woman.
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Me and the Sky
Girls and boys who dream of becoming a pilot will love this true story about Captain Beverley Bass. Even though she met many roadblocks on her path to becoming an airline pilot, Beverley brushed off the naysayers and pushed forward. This inspiring biography will encourage young readers to set their sights high, work hard, and reach for their dreams.
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I am Amelia Earhart
Available from:This bestselling picture book biography is a must-read for any airplane devotee. Kids will love learning about the headstrong pilot who believed she could do anything. From her childhood to her time in the cockpit, this book introduces young readers to the fascinating historical figure.
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Early Readers:
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Go, Go, Planes!
Available from:Help your child’s reading abilities take flight with this leveled reader about airplanes. Beginning readers will get to practice their sight words along with unfamiliar words and concepts like old and new, high and low, big and small. It’s an excellent choice to get young airplane admirers excited about reading.
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Maybe You Should Fly a Jet! Maybe You Should Be a Vet!
Available from:Beginning readers will find Dr. Seuss’s wild and wacky career primer irresistible. Whether your child dreams of becoming a pilot, farmer, teacher, or something else, they’ll love the bouncy rhyme and bright illustrations in this book.
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