The Glorious Flight facts for kids
The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Blériot
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| Author | Alice and Martin Provensen |
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| Illustrator | Alice and Martin Provensen |
| Country | United States |
| Genre | Children's picture book |
| Publisher | Viking Press |
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Publication date
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1983 |
| ISBN | 978-0-670-34259-4 |
| OCLC | 8430315 |
| 629.13/092/4 B 19 | |
| LC Class | TL721.B5 P76 1983 |
The Glorious Flight: Across the Channel with Louis Blériot is an exciting book by Alice and Martin Provensen. It tells the true story of Louis Blériot, a brave French inventor. He was the first person to fly an airplane across the English Channel. This amazing flight happened in 1909.
The book was published by Viking Press in 1983. It won a very special award called the Caldecott Medal in 1984. This award is given for the best illustrations in an American children's book.
Contents
Who Was Louis Blériot?
Louis Blériot was a French inventor and pilot. He was born in France in 1872. From a young age, he was fascinated by machines and how they worked. He especially loved the idea of flying.
Early Life and Dreams
Blériot first studied engineering. He started a company that made car headlights. This business helped him earn money. But his real passion was aviation. He spent much of his time and money on building flying machines.
Building Airplanes
In the early 1900s, flying was a brand new idea. Many people thought it was impossible. Blériot worked hard to design and build his own airplanes. He experimented with different shapes and engines. He had many crashes and failures. But he never gave up on his dream of flight.
The Big Flight Across the Channel
In 1909, a newspaper offered a big prize. It was for the first person to fly an airplane across the English Channel. This channel is a stretch of water between France and England. It was a very dangerous challenge. The flight was long and the weather could be bad.
Preparing for the Journey
Blériot decided to try for the prize. He prepared his latest airplane, the Blériot XI. It was a small, single-engine plane. He had to make sure everything was perfect. He knew this flight would be a huge test for him and his machine.
The Historic Crossing
On July 25, 1909, Blériot took off from France. He flew towards England. The flight was very difficult. He faced strong winds and fog. He could not see where he was going for some time. But he kept flying, guided by the sound of a ship's horn. After about 37 minutes, he landed safely in a field near Dover, England.
Why Was This Flight Important?
Louis Blériot's flight was a huge moment in history. It showed that airplanes could fly long distances. It proved that aviation was possible and had a future. This flight inspired many other inventors and pilots. It helped lead to the development of modern air travel.
About the Book: The Glorious Flight
The book The Glorious Flight captures the spirit of this amazing adventure. It tells Blériot's story in a way that is easy to understand. The illustrations are a big part of the book's charm. They show the planes, the landscapes, and Blériot's determination.
Who Wrote and Drew It?
The book was created by Alice and Martin Provensen. They were a husband-and-wife team. They were famous for their beautiful illustrations. They spent many years making children's books together. Their art often has a classic, detailed style.
Winning an Award
In 1984, The Glorious Flight won the Caldecott Medal. This award is one of the highest honors for children's picture books in the United States. It recognized the Provensens' incredible artwork. The medal showed how much their illustrations added to the story.
