The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot July 25, 1909

by Alice Provensen, Martin Provensen

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, this stunningly illustrated book depicts Louis Bleriot's historic first cross-Channel flight.

“Factually accurate, yes-but also a witty pictorial reincarnation of Bleriot’s first experience of an airship”-- Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Picture Books, History, Biography, Nonfiction, Childrens, France, Historical

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Alice Provensen collaborated with her late husband, Martin, on numerous highly acclaimed picture books, including the Caldecott Medal-winning The Glorious Flight and Nancy Willard's Newbery Medal-winning A Visit to William Blake's Inn, which was also a Caldecott Honor Book. The Provensens have been on the New York Times list of the Ten Best Illustrated Books eight times.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wright Bros had flown in a plane and other people around the world were into the airplane craze. Louis Bleriot was one such person. He was obsessed with them. Eventually, he was the first to fly across the English Channel successfully.

I do like the story, but I don’t think it’s really Caldecott Medal worth. Not really. The artwork is lovely as it feels very historic and stylized. The story is simple and for beginners which is fine. I don’t feel like there is anything that elevates this above a good story. There are no layers here. This is a good story with good art, but it’s not amazing. It doesn’t make you feel something really, or you not wowed or convicted of something. For a medal winner, it is ho hum. There are a million stories like this, this just happens to be about actual history.

The kids were not too impressed with it. They have both flown and they don’t get the big deal. I guess the first time doing something that is now taken for granted doesn’t really mean much to them. The niece gave this 2 stars and the nephew said it looked like he could make his own plane and he asked his dad if they could build one together and he would fly to a place to make his robots and fly home. He still gave it 2 stars.

[Manybooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

So with regard to The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel With Louis Bleriot July 25, 1909, I actually did end up enjoying Martin Provensen's Caldecott Medal winning illustrations much more than I originally thought I would (as they are most certainly very much detailed and descriptive, although I would still not ever really label them as being personal favourites by any stretch of the imagination, since they do tend to feel rather annoyingly stagnant and lifeless, emotionless even, and with a colour scheme which as my friend Cheryl has already pointed out, is much too drab and thus of course also a bit too muted for my own aesthetic tastes).

However, my perhaps a bit grudging but still ever-present appreciation of the illustrations notwithstanding, and while I did and do much enjoy the information (and the storyline) presented by Alice Provensen's narrative, on a purely personal and emotional level, I absolutely and yes even angrily find the entire attitude of the father (of Louis Bleriot) exceedingly irresponsible, troublesome and yes majorly annoying (and I guess, the attitude of the author as well by simple extension, as The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel With Louis Bleriot July 25, 1909 certainly is almost entirely positive and laudatory with regard to Louis Bleriot and his many rather dangerous flight attempts). Because let's face it, there truly seems to be scant thought as to how Papa's flights and their inherent risks might, could affect the family (and with such a large family, if Papa had been seriously injured or killed, Mama would have likely faced some major, serious obstacles, not to mention the sadness that accompanies these kinds of mishaps); there is this sense of "glorious" adventure and inventiveness, but Papa's often careless philosophy and his constant striving for flight fame do leave a strange and somewhat majorly bitter taste in my mouth. Also and furthermore, considering that this story is based on actual events, is basically non-fiction, detailed background material and suggestions for further reading would most definitely increase the teaching and learning value of The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel With Louis Bleriot July 25, 1909, which as it stands, really feels more than a bit factually incomplete (and the small bit of supplemental information at the end, while appreciated, is really just very barely adequate).

[Spencer Orey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cool! It's a nice quick glimpse into the age of the aviators. It isn't very exciting, even when he's flying, but there's something chill about watching Blériot try again and again and again.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Loved the subtle humor and what a grand true story it is. I so admired the spirit and persistence of "Papa" and how he followed his dreams. (If I was Mama or one of the children maybe I would have felt differently with all that danger he was in!) What a wonderful outlook, to find joy and encouragement in every attempt at flight, rather than becoming thwarted by "failure." The Caldecott Medal-winning illustrations really evoke the era and it's neat to have the visual of the progression of the aircrafts through the different models. I read this with my three year old son and it held his attention, too, and I'm sure we will revisit it in later years when he can appreciate it on another level.

Just realizing this husband and wife team also wrote "A Year at Maple Hill Farm" -- another book I really enjoyed. I hadn't matched the illustration style at first but I can see it now.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful tale of a daring flight 100 years ago, and the inspiration and aviation trials that led up to it.

The pictures are sepia toned and old fashioned; and as the aircraft improve, you can see the children grow up.

The final flight across the English Channel is the culmination of years of effort, daring and invention. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

This book was selected as one of the books for the April 2016- Quarterly Caldecott discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[J9 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great educational book for your children of all ages. My 6 yr old loved it as well as my 3 yr old twins. Lots of good information with beautiful pictures that will help keep children engaged. Good additional lesson to a history lesson on the Wright brothers. A great addition to any children's library.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Louis Blériot, who was the first person to fly across the English Channel in the early 1900s.

After seeing the first air ship crossing over the city of Cambrai, in France, Louis Blériot decides to build a "flying machine". It took him many years and many attempts, but he never gave up. In 1909, after many crashes, the "Blériot XI" succeed in crossing over the channel in 37 minutes.

Every attempt to create the flying machine is recorded in this book with a picture that illustrates how each new invention looked like, from the first "draft" too small for a person to sit in it, to the airplane that finally crossed the channel.

Louis Blériot's is showed persevering and positive during the whole story. He not only had to learn how to build a plane, but he also needed to learn to pilot one. He never says he failed, but he "almost flew", "he is learning", "he is getting lots of practice". In every page is also possible to see his family, friends and community supporting Blériot in this challenge.

I find the illustrations very interesting and appropriate. They look like old photographs but with some color.

Children between 5 and 8 years old will enjoy this book. I'd say this is a good option to introduce the younger ones to non fiction books different from the usual "counting" and "alphabet" ones. Inventions is always a good way to introduce history and science to the little readers.

*This review is part of my project Characters with characters

Check out more children's book reviews in my Reviews in Chalk Blog!

[Luisa Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always great to read a fun story and learn something historical too! Discover who the Wright Brother's contemporary was: Louis Bleriot.

I checked the facts and from what I can tell, the story is presented pretty accurately. There is a difference of some thirty seconds of fly time and a four minute difference of take-off time, but otherwise it seems to match up with what I could find.

Ages 5+

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

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[SamZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

1984 Caldecott Honor: Favorite Illustration - The morning where Papa takes off to fly across the channel. I love the family watching from the hangar and the man pushing the propeller, lots of action and emotion on these pages!
I really enjoyed this little peek into history! I think (especially in America) we tend to talk about the Wright Brothers almost exclusively to any other innovators in the world of flight. I liked learning about the Bleriot inventions, but I wish there were more of an author's note with history, comparisons, and/or a timeline.
I did love the illustration style, I felt that the sepia tone actually enhanced the historical nature, rather than making it seem old and washed out. But I did find myself wanting to learn more about the Bleriot's daily life and how they felt about Papa's work. Were they supportive, apprehensive, scared? I guess the mark of a good book is when it inspires you to learn more, and I do want to learn more, so I will probably be looking up more information on the Bleriot family!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know very little about the history of flight, so this was informative. I wonder if Bleriot is mentioned in the book about St Exupery. The Provenses' style of art is similar to the work of Barbara Cooney.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is another new favorite for me. It is a non-fiction book, but with a great sense of character and story. The reader gets to know Louis Bleriot through the eyes of his children, who grow up witnessing his various attempts at creating a successful flying machine. Bleriot comes across as an endearingly stubborn man who is so singularly focused on his dream that he thinks nothing of the bumps and bruises he receives in the process. The tone of the writing is so light and conversational, it’s easy to forget you’re actually learning something as you read. This is a great biography for very young kids who are just learning about the genre, and one of the few non-fiction titles I think would work well in story time.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked reading this true tale of Louis Bleriot's quest to create a flying machine. I liked reading of his persistence when his first several attempts were unsuccessful. Also, at first he did not know how to fly and had a friend fly. But he learned to fly as well. It was Bleriot XI that was finally successful. On July 25, 1909, he climbed aboard and flew from France, across the English Channel to land in England. The flight took 37 minutes. The illustrations are in muted colors and fit nicely with the historical context, in my opinion. I loved seeing the progression of his planes. This would make a nice book to discuss persistence and determination.

[Ardyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know what I love about this little book? It shows all the failures before success. Again and again M. Blériot crashes and fails... but each time he learns. That's what science is about -- not the genius eureka, but the perseverance.

Also, the illustrations are lovely. :)

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations—I mean, wow. And a story that illustrates the failures and persistence that lead to discovery and accomplishment.

[Christi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Historical
Summary: The glorious Flight across the Channel with Louis Bleriot is about a French pioneer who was determined to fly. He goes through several models of airplanes and finally on his 11th model he comes up with an aircraft that is able to actually fly for some distance and time. Bleriot takes up a challenge in which 1,000 pounds while be given to the first man to fly across the channel. In July 1909, he sets off from France heading to England and successfully makes the trip in 37 minutes.
The author did her research and came up with a factual story that she relates at a kid friendly level. This is a Caldecott book so it has been recognized for its illustration, which is I believe hand-painted watercolor pictures.
Area of Reading Instruction: Maybe Phonemic awareness. Not fluency – This book should really not be used for fluency or accuracy. Other than the very first sentence of the story, the sentences were stilted and hard to read. They just didn’t have that natural flow that is important for early readers. It did however force phonemic awareness because the unfamiliar words caused me to slow down and really sound them out. For instance, the second sentence of the book was so convoluted I had to reread it twice. I have included it below as an example.
Line from the book: Mr. Louis Bleriot, his oldest daughter Alceste, his daughter of four years Charmaine, his third daughter Suzette, his son Jeannot, their mama Alice, and the baby Gabrielle, also the cat Minou, their little dog Arsene, and the big cockatoo Chloe have just had their breakfast.

As an experienced reader this book was a little difficult for me even so I definitely would not recommend it for independent reading unless the child is reading on a 3rd/4th grade reading level or higher. However, it could be used in a classroom as the non-fiction part of a fiction/non-fiction pairing to discuss important advances in history.

[Jacquelyn Hoogendyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot by Alice and Martin Provenson is a story about a family in France that witnesses the first ‘airplane’ go over France. Papa Bleriot, the father of the family, and the main character, decides that he wants to fly the plane himself. One day, he sits in the drivers seat and decides that it is time for him to learn to fly. Papa flies across a field and then crashes. He is not hurt, but the plane is crashed! One day, Papa learns: “a great prize is offered to the first man to fly across the English Channel” (Provensen). Papa Bleriot chooses to attempt this feat. He begins the flight, and can see the boat below him waiting for him to crash and get him out of the water. But then, he approaches clouds and can no longer see the rescue boat. Just as Papa realizes that he is all alone, the clouds part way, and he has made it to England! Papa has won the prize! The illustrations in this book are colorful and old-fashioned looking. There is a short sentence on each page, and they are placed at the bottom of each page. The illustrations go right along with the story so that the reader can read the story and then look at the illustrations for a better understanding.
I personally would not choose to utilize this into a lesson for my students just because I feel that there are other books out there that would be more interesting to the students. I also felt that this story was maybe not as realistic as it could have been, and for that reason I would have a hard time creating a lesson plan around it. This story was a short read and was not horrible to get through, however, I did not enjoy it as much as I thought that I would.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1984 Caldecott Medal Winner is filled with humor and a gentle message about persistence. Out for a drive with his family in 1901, Louis Bleriot is transfixed by the sight of an airborne vehicle, and his life will never be the same. Obsessed with crafting something that will fly, he pours all his energy, creativity, and money into various designs. The first one resembles a chicken, complete with flapping wings, and each of the designs, while having much potential, eventually fail. Never doubting that he will eventually succeed, Bleriot hits pay dirt with his eleventh design. Not only does it rise into the air, but it also stays there and allows him to cross over the English Channel, which is twenty miles wide. The story is inspiring, the paintings are filled with details, unique perspectives, and sumptuous colors. My favorite pages feature Bleriot high in the sky, no longer able to see his French homeland, and his fog-shrouded craft far from anything familiar. The book's creators somehow manage to celebrate his incredible joy and yet also his fears at what might happen next while also paying tribute to that period in history. From the perspective of today, his accomplishment might seem small, but oh, how brave it was. Perfect for a thematic unit celebrating inventors and inventions or one devoted to flight, this picture book might inspire the next generation of inventors to imagine and create their own mode of travel.

[Madison Wetzel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Glorious Flight is an adventurous book about a father and son’s fascination with building and flying airplanes. Set in Cambrai, France, this book has several french culture aspects to it such as French names and French words. After numerous attempts to build a successful airplane, Papa finally contracts ones that successfully flies from France to England, crossing over the English Channel. Each page is beautifully illustrated and reinforces the text very effectively. The use of color is very effective because the browns and creams fit accordingly to the time zone, being that bright colors were not popular in the 1920’s. Because of the French language included, I recommend this book to older elementary school students such as third grade and above. This book showed wonderful themes of aviation and the history of flight. I would use this book in a classroom to discuss how important new inventions, such as aircraft, were to our nation's history. This would be a wonderful history lesson when learning about the Industrial Revolution in America and what other countries such as France all contributed to new technology. Despite the language barrier, this book is a wonderful story about adventure and the determination to pursue one’s dreams.

Provensen, A. (1983). The glorious flight across the channel with Louise Bleriot July 25 1909. New York City, NY: Puffin

[Tayler Pomeroy · Rating 2 out of 5]

“The Glorious Flight” is a Caldecott Medal winner for its full page paintings. The story was about a man learning how to build an airplane. Personally I did not find the illustrations to be especially appealing to me. The colors are mostly earth tones. When I was reading it, I was a little distracted by the different kind of format it uses, because it is set in France. I was excited when the man finally learned how to build an airplane that functioned successfully. I’m disappointed by the way this book was written though, because the illustrations are beautiful, but this is a non-fiction book about an event that actually happened, and the book only tells it exactly how it happened. The wording was so plain and it had no voice to it. I guess if I wanted to use it in my classroom, I could read it aloud as a mental break time after teaching about Amelia Earheart, and compare and contrast them according to Amelia being an American pilot, and Blériot being a Frenchman. I could also recommend it as a silent reading book to students who have particular interest in planes or France. There are lots of illustrations about planes, as well as landscapes of France. I could also recommend it to a student who needs moral support, because the theme of this book is practice makes perfect, or perseverance will allow you to achieve your goal.

[Curtiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the first flight across the English Channel by the aviation pioneer Louis Bleriot. Told in a charming and witty style with equally charming illustrations. Winner of the Caldecott Medal for children's literature.

As the story unfolds, Louis Bleriot and his entire family are entranced by the sight of a dirigible balloon in the skies over Paris (no doubt piloted by the early aeronaut, Alberto Santos-Dumont (see "Wings of Madness" by Paul Hoffman). Papa Bleriot is bitten by the flying bug.

After numerous failures he and his friends the Voisin brothers create a successful flying machine and Papa Bleriot teaches himself to fly, but not without surviving numerous accidents and injuries.

Eventually he decides to achieve what no one has ever achieved, to perform the first flight across the English Channel, from Calais to Dover.

Bleriot sets out on his flight and quickly outpaces the French destroyer posted to rescue him in case of a forced landing, he is then forced to fly through hazy clouds which obscure his vision, but he eventually finds the cliffs of Dover and succeeds in landing with only minor damage (as usual) just 37-minutes after leaving France on his "Glorious Flight."

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

After spotting an airship sailing through the skies of France one one day, inventor Louis Blériot becomes fixated on the idea of building a flying device that can carry a man over long distances, perhaps even across great expanses of water. Failure dogs Monsieur Blériot at seemingly every turn, though an occasional glimmer of potential triumph shows up in his work now and then.

When the stakes are raised and a substantial award is offered to the man who can build an aircraft capable of flying himself over the English Channel, Louis Blériot decides that the time has come to test his latest flying model and see if it can do the job. So he departs on an adventurous journey that will change aviation in France and around the world forever.

It's difficult to properly relate a non-fiction children's story within the limited space allotted to a picture book, but Alice and Martin Provensen have done it well in The Glorious Flight. It touches on most of the major facts of the story while giving inspiration to keep trying and never give up, and one might be rewarded with success the way that Louis Blériot was. I would give this book at least one and a half stars, but most likely the full two.

[Ginta · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Glorious Flight” is about Louis Bleriot who was a pioneer in aviation. He created an aeroplane the Bleriot XI and flew across the English Channel.

“The Glorious Flight” is a picture book partial biography. Bleriot’s flight occurred in 1909 and during that time it was quite a feat for someone to fly across the English Channel. Bleriot is a study in perseverance. He created several planes prior to the Bleriot XI. This is a good lesson for students, to never give up if they really want to succeed at something. I think children will enjoy seeing the illustrations of the aeroplanes Bleriot created as they are depicted in the book. They can marvel at how someone was able to fly across such a great divide as the English Channel in the early 1900s in an aeroplane.

Writers Alice and Martin Provensen provide a balanced portrait of Bleriot’s life. No parts of the book are fictionalized. The story is a partial biography in that it only covers Bleriot’s life surrounding his flight over the English Channel.

My rating for the book is three stars. Children will learn about a man they may not know much or anything about. The book will provide a good catalyst to a social studies lesson in aviation and a little known historical event.

[Katie Levin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Glorious Flight
By Alice and Martin Provensen
This story is an adventurous tale of a French son (Louis) and Papa’s fascination with planes. Set in Cambrai, France 1901, this book has many aspects that take on the French culture. Louis and papa begin to build planes with their family supporting them. After Louise many attempts to build planes, Papa takes over and starts building his own. As the planes become more complex, so to the injuries that papa endures. It ends with Papa flying in his newly built plane “Blériot XI” across the English Channel to earn the title as the first man to do this. This story was very touching and showed that hard work pays off. While I would not pick this book up to read to a kindergarten class, because of the hard language, I think that it was beautifully created. I really enjoyed looking at the illustrations in this book as they looked very historical. I would not recommend this book to a younger audience but I think it would be great from 6-8th grade. I could incorporate this book with a fun activity with a word search of different parts of planes.

Provensen, A. (1983). The glorious flight across the channel with Louise Beriot July 25 1909. New York City, NY: Puffin

[Taylor Melum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Citations: Provensen, Alice. (1983). The glorious flight: across the channel with Louis Bleriot July 25 1909. New York, NY. Viking Press
Genre: Non-fiction
Format: Picture book
Reading level: 5
Theme/topic: The beginning of flight
Gender: Male



Summary:
The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Bleriot July 25, 1909 by Alice Provensen is a story about a man who is eager to create a plane. Louis Bleriot longed to fly so badly that he tried flight after flight on different contraptions which often caused serious injury. He worked for a long time but never made much improvement and his family worried about him getting hurt. After years of working and mostly crashing Bleriot finally flew his plane and went high into the sky and went from France to England in a record breaking time and he will forever be remembered in history. The illustrations by Martin Provensen set the mood and time frame of this adventure with its dull pastel colors and old fashioned drawings. Not only is this book interesting but it is also informational.

In-class activity: The class could learn how to make paper airplanes for fun but also so they can learn how difficult it was to build something that could fly across oceans.

[Deanna Moody · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book The Glorious Flight is a story based in France during 1901 and is a man who dreams to build and fly a plane. The illustrations are drawn with soft edges and neutral brown tones. This color scheme and use of water color reflects the age of the story. The browns and beiges make you feel like you are in 1901 and with the man and his family as he achieves his dream. Also the details in the drawings reflect the era extremely well with the detail of the characters clothing as well as the background setting. When the man, Louis Bleriot, achieves his goal of flying across the English Channel the illustrations become more colorful with more purples and blues. This change displays the happiness and achievement the man feels as he achieves his goal and dream. The illustrations interpret the feeling of the main character and his family throughout the story, which makes you as a reader, feels like a part of his accomplishments.

[Crystal Ingram · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Glorious Flight was written and illustrated by Alice and Martin Provensen in 1983. In 1984, it was awarded the Caldecott medal. This book, an historical fiction, is about Louis Bleriot and his attempts to build a “flying machine” and win a prize for flying across the English Channel. He built 11 different flying machines until he was finally able to get one into the air. When he did so, he was able to complete a 37 minute flight winning the prize. It was a cute book, with illustrations that really showed Louis Bleriot’s dedication to his goal. This book may be interesting to young readers who love airplanes and the history of them. I gave this book a three star rating because it really did not spark my interest, but I know that the authors wrote the book well and had wonderful illustrations. I personally would not read this book again, but I could easily see myself recommending this book to someone else.

[Bailee Loewen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Glorious Flight is a picture book that recaps the moments of Louis Bleriot being the first man to fly across the English Channel. It takes several attempts until the his aircraft successfully flies, with each attempt the airplane went a tiny bit further. Finally, making a glorious debut, Louis Bleriot flies for a total of 37 minutes and makes it to England. This is an older book but it was great anyhow with an inspiring theme for children about determination and not giving up. The spirit of the book was slightly humorous and overall encouraging! I loved how his family and community members were involved continually throughout the story to show support. I thought the illustrations were the perfect touch to the story, resembling rough drafts that reflect the struggle of making a proper, equipped airplane. They were realistic with brassy, subtle colors portraying old times and old photographs. What a terrific book!

[Heather Lei · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this book as part of our homeschool, following Five In A Row. I doubt I'd have picked it up otherwise as the title and cover seem more like book-form quinoa than frozen custard. I'm not sorry we read it, though. It's a rather interesting true story. Why not toss the kids a mini-biography and some history in with their giant dogs and dancing mice?

The illustrations don't inspire any passion in me but they fit the story well. Both are very matter of fact and to the point. The 't's will be crossed just so and the 'i's will not be adorned with tiny circles or hearts. It isn't unpleasant, just very (Goudy) old style. You will find no frivolity here.

A pronunciation guide would have bumped this book up a star. A lot of the names are French and the French enjoy snubbing certain letters. Either a guide in the back of the book or parenthetical phonetic guide would have been nice.

However, bonus points for Papa's glorious moustache. It is a thing of beauty.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

1984 Caldecott winner. A true story of the first flight across the English Channel. The story was not very 'catchy' for the intended kid audience. In staying true to nonfiction, non of the multiple Bleriot children gets pulled into the story. I would have liked seeing one of them waving, or talking about their pride in their father. The family is often drawn small into the pictures, but not prominent enough to grab kid-reader attention.

The story felt like reading a wiki entry spread out across pages with artistic pictures.

3* story, 3* pix

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a great deal of humor, this book details the first flight over the English Channel. Bleriot has a "never say die" attitude. He is determined to fly no matter what. This Caldecott award winning book is a quick and fun read which gives another first flight story aside from the Wright Brothers.