The title of this book tells it all. Special for kids who wants to learn more about the great adventures of the heroes that conquered the skies in the early years of the last century.
The Wright Brothers who invented powered flying and Aemelia Earhart the first women that flew over the Atlantic Ocean from the United States to Europe and many more solo flights all over the world thereafter covering many continents, but tragically disappeared during her attempt to fly around the world. In clear explanations the author answers obvious questions about how the Wright Brothers with shear determination, self education and patience developed a heavier then air flying machine all supported by beautiful illustrations.
Further reading this book I also found out that many details about both stories were also complete unknown to me hence the book is not limited to young readers only. It would not misfit in history lessons about the American aviation history in primary schools and homes. The story about the exploits of Amelia are even more fascinating. The long preparations, detailed exploits of local weather and landing sites, achieving navigation charts etcetera all with illustrations of the routes she flew.
In both stories it appeared that nothing was achieved easy. Courage and a strong will to succeed were the tools for all the characters in this book. Good lessons for the young readers! Besides the detailed backgrounds of the Wright Brothers and Amelia Earhart that showed that Joe Cooper had done a lot of research but also the many coloured illustrations and card drawings make this book special.
To be honest age is certainly not a limiting factor for reading How’d they do that? My advise: purchase it as hardcover or paperback handy for reading it aloud but also for a better reflecting of the illustrations.
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