The Airport Book

Brown (Mummy Cat) traces an airplane journey through the eyes of a family: two parents, a son, and his toddler sister. The title page introduces the device on which the story hangs as the parents tell each other not to forget the toddler’s favorite stuffed animal; separately, readers see the girl cramming Monkey into her mother’s suitcase. Brown follows them to the airport departure area, filled with individuals and families that readers see throughout: “There are lots of people saying lots of goodbyes. Sometimes they hug. Sometimes they cry.” Despite the sister’s consternation, readers see Monkey traveling safely (and having a close encounter with a friendly dog) with the luggage while the family sits in the cabin above. More than just an introduction to the airport, the story is a look at the wide world itself. The biracial family encounters dozens of strangers—old, young, familiar, foreign—and observes their idiosyncracies (“Blah blah blah” says a woman who’s perpetually on her phone). Amusing Easter eggs abound, and Brown’s calm delineation of the mysteries and mundanities of air travel should reassure reluctant travelers. Ages 5–7. Agent: Charlotte Sheedy, Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency. (May) [em] [/em]