Air Show!

Williams, an actor and certified flight instructor, debuts with an oversize picture book certain to capture the imaginations of young airplane aficionados. Headed to an air show, Ellie and Gill excitedly climb aboard a small plane piloted by their father. As he and his copilot run through the preflight checklist ("Radios on?" "Check!".... "Check avionics?" "Got 'em") and follow instructions from the tower, readers witness a takeoff firsthand. Neubecker's (Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth!) buoyant cartoons capture the thrill of the flight (from many perspectives). At the busy air show, a foldout spread displays an arresting array of vintage and contemporary planes, each labeled with its name and year (the scene wouldn't be out of place in a Where's Waldo book, but all eyes would be on the planes). In the most exhilarating scenario, Ellie is treated to a ride in an open-cockpit stunt plane; as the plane (and text) makes an oval loop in the center of the spread, Ellie is seen in closeup on the periphery, her expressions ranging from apprehensive to gleeful. Creative typography, facts, and sound effects add to the fun of this exuberant excursion. Ages 3–7. (June)