My First Airplane Ride

by Patricia Hubbell

A first airplane ride can be very exciting! Watching planes take off and land, going through security, walking the jet way, finding the right seat, watching out the window as the plane taxis down the runway, and flying up high in the sky and then, at the other end, Grandma waiting with a hug! Nancy Speir’s acrylic illustrations deftly interpret the wonder and joy of a child’s first plane-trip adventure.

Genres: Picture Books, Transport, Childrens, Aeroplanes, Travel, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

Patricia Hubbell has been writing poetry since she was eleven years old.
In 1998, her Wrapping Paper Romp was selected as a Parents Magazine Book of the Year.
Patricia Hubbell lives with her husband, Harold Hornstein, in Easton, Connecticut, the small town where she was born.
Remembering how much their children and grandchildren loved to bounce when they were very young prompted her to write Bouncing Time. "Bouncing is one of the joyous things little kids do," she says. "It reflects their constant enthusiasm."

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has brought a lot of comfort to my 3-year old daughter, who is about to take her very first ride on an airplane. In friendly, rhyming text, it describes those things that she's excited about (getting to eat snacks on the plane, watching a movie) and the things that's causing her anxiety (the airplane being noisy). It's also opened up a lot of discussion that we might not have had, like where the airplane wheels go when in flight. The book may not single-handedly calm all of her fears, but it has given her plenty of reassurance that we'll be "ok" on the airplane.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

i wonder why this read has so many reviews??! i am trying to recall if i or when i had was on my 1st plane?? i know when i was a teen we went to New York ... very short ride. on and off very quickly but i still could say i was on a plane??! i don't often go on them ... prefer rides (cars or trucks) trains or boats ... ones i can paddle myself. fun read. check it out.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple rhyming text matches bright, colorful pictures of a little boy describing his first plane ride. Not enough story line for preschoolers, but toddlers will love it!

[Paula Hamand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction

This is a wonderful book to share with a child getting prepared for their first plane ride. It has bright illustrations of what to expect.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ordered this book from our library for my son to prepare him for a trip down the Florida. I had skimmed about 6 or 7 other airplane books before picking this one and it was a great choice. The book really breaks down what a child can expect to see and do in an airport. The illustrations are very rich and use realistic perspectives to show distance and size. I read this book to him every night for 4 nights leading up to our trip, and also read it to him while on the plane. The illustrations are extremely similar to the airports we were actually in while on our trip so it was perfect. As they drive to the airport they see planes flying in the sky. They stood on line to check their luggage and went through security. Then family must wait in the airport a while for their plane. My pointed out planes in the sky on the way to the airport, but it was after security and once we were sitting waiting to board that he seemed to really be pointing at my bag where the book was, trying to tell me he knew now for sure we were reenacting events from the book. Once the family finally board, the father is not able to sit with them (this didn't happen to us but I think its great that the author included the possibility of a parent being seated separate). They buckle up, listen to safety instructions, and watch as the plane lifts off the ground and everything becomes tiny. They experience some bumps, the lights dim, they nap, and finally land. Then the boy's grandma meets them when they land - which all happened to us too! My son was remarkably well behaved during the entire traveling experience and I really credit this book with giving my 16 month old accurate details and things to expect. Great book, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to prepare a child for an airplane trip.

Autumn @ From Papyrus to Picture Books

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little boy is excited by his first airplane ride. Children find exciting what adults take for granted when flying. Great little gift for children who are going on their first flight. Bright artwork together with rhyming couplet text makes for fun reading.
A first airplane ride can be very exciting - watching planes take off and land, going through security checks, walking the jetway, finding the right seat, gazing out of the window as the plane taxis down the runway, and flying up high into the sky. This book recreates all the excitement and fun of flying. Lifting! Whooshing! Cruising! Soaring! Shuddering! Shaking! Rumbling! Roaring!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book to teach children about a first airplane ride. My 2.5 year old son adored it as we prepared for his first (since he was 4 months) trip across the country. We got to the airport and he knew what to expect and pointed out the things he recognized. He also knew that he HAD to take a nap on the plane not only because I told him so but the book proved it with pictures. He has made me borrow it from the library when we got back too. Now we shall buy it.

Highly recommend to people with children on a first time flight!

Kudos to the author!

[Sara Bland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for children who might be nervous about flying on a plane, either for the first time or subsequent times after. This is a great informational book about a boy who goes on a plane ride for the very first time, and all of the things that happen before, during, and after the flight. It really goes into detail with what happens during security screening, having to wait for the plane, the flight attendants, and what the plane will sound and feel like during take off. Really an enjoyable and informational book for younger children grades K-2.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

My First Airplane Ride is a way for children to see flying as no so scary. It covers every aspect of a day of traveling, and rhymes all the while. Although some children may never have flown before, it shows flying in a fun way for them to have something to look forward to. Great for first grade and below.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story for preschoolers to use for a transportation theme! This is entertaining look at each step involved in flying on a plane. The story begins with an invitation to visit grandma and ends with the little boy and grandma hand-in-hand.

[Destiny Dawn Long · Rating 2 out of 5]

I borrowed this because my daughter has been really interested in airplanes. But she didn't really get all into it as a book. The writing is alright and the illustrations are alright... it just didn't really do anything for me.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young boy and his mother are off to visit his grandmother and he describes each step of his first airplane ride. Rhyming text and bright illustrations made this a winner with my storytime audience.

[Darinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book to introduce a child to flying for the first time. It covers the basics of airline travel to help prepare your little one.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty basic but attractive. And simple enough to read even with a small child.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute illustrations -- good book for kids taking their first plane ride. I must say the plane in the book looks far roomier than any plane I've ever been on!

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

may use if take children's lit class; great story to comfort a first time flyer and turn flying into a fun experience

[Devin L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story tells the account of a young boys first airplane ride with his parents.

[Christie Suh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story tells the account of a young boy's first airplane ride with his parents.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

If your child of age 3 or older may be taking their first airplane ride, this would be a great way they can see what it involves.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the artwork and the story, but I couldn't get into the rhythm of the words, so it sounded odd.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follows a young traveler through a first airplane ride, from takeoff to touchdown.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Served its purpose well.