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Quick answer: The best picture Books About Airplanes include Airplanes by Byron Barton, Airport by Byron Barton, Flying by Donald Crews and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
Airplanes fascinate young children with their speed, noise and the magic of flying. These picture books cover airports, pilots, famous flights and first plane trips, and they are perfect before a family vacation.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airplanes | Byron Barton | 1-4 | toddlers |
| Airport | Byron Barton | 1-4 | kids flying for the first time |
| Flying | Donald Crews | 2-5 | young plane fans |
| Amazing Airplanes | Tony Mitton | 2-5 | rhyme lovers |
| Violet the Pilot | Steve Breen | 4-8 | young inventors |
| Planes Go | Steve Light | 1-4 | sound effect fans |
| The Airport Book | Lisa Brown | 3-7 | first-time flyers |
| Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride | Pam Muñoz Ryan | 5-9 | history fans |
| Night Flight: Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic | Robert Burleigh | 5-9 | true story fans |
| The Glorious Flight | Alice and Martin Provensen | 5-9 | aviation history fans |
| Planes Fly! | George Ella Lyon | 2-5 | rhyme lovers |
| The Little Airplane | Lois Lenski | 2-6 | classic fans |
| Flight School | Lita Judge | 3-7 | dreamers |
| Rosie Revere, Engineer | Andrea Beaty | 4-8 | young engineers |
| The Noisy Airplane Ride | Mike Downs | 3-6 | kids nervous about flying |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. Airplanes by Byron Barton
Simple pictures show planes taking off, flying and landing. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: toddlers.
2. Airport by Byron Barton
Shows what happens at the airport. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: kids flying for the first time.
3. Flying by Donald Crews
A plane takes off and flies across the country. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: young plane fans.
4. Amazing Airplanes by Tony Mitton
Cheerful animals fly airplanes. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: rhyme lovers.
5. Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen
Violet builds flying machines and saves the day. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: young inventors.
6. Planes Go by Steve Light
Planes zoom and whoosh in a board book. Recommended ages: about 1-4.
Best for: sound effect fans.
7. The Airport Book by Lisa Brown
A family travels through the airport. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: first-time flyers.
8. Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Amelia Earhart and Eleanor Roosevelt take a night flight. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: history fans.
9. Night Flight: Amelia Earhart Crosses the Atlantic by Robert Burleigh
Amelia's solo flight across the ocean. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: true story fans.
10. The Glorious Flight by Alice and Martin Provensen
Louis Blériot flies across the English Channel. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: aviation history fans.
11. Planes Fly! by George Ella Lyon
A rhyming look at all kinds of planes. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: rhyme lovers.
12. The Little Airplane by Lois Lenski
Pilot Small flies his little airplane. Recommended ages: about 2-6.
Best for: classic fans.
13. Flight School by Lita Judge
A penguin wants to learn to fly. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: dreamers.
14. Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
Rosie builds a flying machine for her great-great-aunt. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: young engineers.
15. The Noisy Airplane Ride by Mike Downs
A child learns what all the airplane noises mean. Recommended ages: about 3-6.
Best for: kids nervous about flying.
How to Choose the Right Book
For toddlers, start with Airplanes, Planes Go and Flying. Before a first trip, read The Airport Book, Airport and The Noisy Airplane Ride. Kids who love history will enjoy Night Flight and The Glorious Flight, while Violet the Pilot and Rosie Revere, Engineer inspire young inventors.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
Airplanes by Byron Barton is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 1 to 9, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.