Yellow Copter

by Kersten Hamilton, Valeria Petrone (Illustrations)

When a teacher gets stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel at the fair, cranes and planes can’t reach her. The only one who might have a chance is Yellow Copter! With a rollicking rhyme and candy-colored illustrations, this is the perfect read-aloud for any fan of machines that are big, make loud noises, or fly—or all three at once.

Genres: Picture Books, Transport, Storytime, Childrens, Juvenile, Helicopters, Aeroplanes

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2015

Reviews

[Liisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my baby’s favourite book. Last summer we would often read it 30 times in a row, several times a day, but despite this, it never got old. ❤️

[Jessica Calaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

1 - 3 years

[Brandee (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yellow Copter is a cute story of a new hero on the block. When teacher needs to be rescued, Yellow Copter is there to help!

I liked that a unique machine was the only one capable of helping out in this situation. I also liked the colored words in the dialog as I think it aids little ones with word recognition. With brilliant illustrations combined with clever rhyme and sound effects, Yellow Copter is sure to be a read-aloud favorite.

**I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

[Maddypictures · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple yet implausible tale of a yellow rescue helicopter that takes part in a mission to save a teacher stuck at the top of a ferris wheel. Short rhyming sentences with varying typefaces paired with large, bold colorful cartoon illustrations make this a suitable read for very young transportation aficionados.

[Elise Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

My toddler is completely obsessed with this book and I've read "wub wub" (his favourite part is the onomatopoeia rotor noises - "WHUP WHUP WHUP") at least seven times just today.

I'm sure that over the coming weeks I'll be reading this book over and over but I'm not even dreading it because the pictures are very cute.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be great for storytime! Simple, and fun.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read Yellow Copter many times with my children. They’ve enjoyed it as babies, toddlers, and even now as preschoolers. It follows the theme of the author’s “Red Truck” and “Blue Boat”, which we also have-a vehicle has to save the day by bravely performing a difficult rescue. It’s nice to have all three books to read together. In this one a helicopter must rescue a teacher from the top of a Ferris Wheel that is stuck. Like the other two, this one has some fun sounds and a nice rhyme scheme. The pictures are cute and the yellow of the copter sticks out against the other colors used in the illustrations, making it easy for children to pick out.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the whole unremarkable. Thought I suppose kids who like stories about transportation will like the big yellow images. And the yellow copter is of course the hero. Nothing wrong with it, just didn't strike me as one that I'll need to revisit.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you get stuck on a ferris wheel call on Yellow Copter! This book is short, yet fun.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun rhyming story about a rescue helicopter.

[Kiersti Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's simple with some rhyming. It's about a rescue helicopter.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stuck

[Chelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, simple story for younger children with bright illustrations.

[Lisa Heller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice, simple book for toddlers who enjoy helicopters. There's a real story to it.

[Marian Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

07/15/25 Decent choice for a yellow-themed storytime. Yellow copter makes a heroic rescue and it's a super cute, smiley helicopter.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yellow Copter is a rescue Copter, and it gets the chance to prove its mettle when a teacher is trapped on a ferris wheel during a school trip to Luna Park on fair day.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A children's board book with lovely bright yellow copter featured. The copter is a rescue copter and saves a beloved teacher from the top of a Ferris wheel.

Read for FSU class LIS 5564 Info needs of children

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply and brightly illustrated, good vocabulary words, and the fun of a teacher getting stuck at the top of a ferris wheel hoping for rescue.

Some of the text:

"Shiny new
YELLOW COPTER
is a rescue
helicopter..

The Ferris wheel
stopped turning 'round.
Our teacher's stuck--
she can't get DOWN!

Cranes can't reach--
the wheel's too high.
Planes can't help--
they SWOOSH right by.

Yellow Copter
hovers steady...
"Harness ON.
Winch is READY!

Possible uses in T is for Transportation, A is for Airplanes (close enough!), G is for Things That GO, R is for Rescue storytimes.

[Christine Turner]

When a teacher gets stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel at the fair, cranes and planes can't reach her. The only one who might have a chance is Yellow Copter! With a rollicking rhyme and candy-colored illustrations, this is the perfect read-aloud for any fan of machines that are big, make loud noises, or fly, or all three at once.

Notes
Kersten Hamilton writes action-packed adventures for young readers. Valeria Petrone's illustrations have appeared in magazines, newspapers, and children's books all over the world. She lives in Rome and Milan.

Subject:
Stories in rhyme
Helicopters -- Juvenile fiction.
Rescue work -- Juvenile fiction.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn't even hold a candle to "The King and the Whirlybird." The best page is the one where the helicopter takes off and the writer actually uses the words rotors, tail boom, and skids. Should have included more technical knowledge. I think male-female representation is about 50-50, but it's basically all white people. There's one token brown skinned girl in the teacher's class. White man flying the helicopter, white woman teaching (and getting stuck and needing to be rescued) and white man holding up the encouraging sign "Hold on, Teach!" from the crane that was too short to reach the top of the ferris wheel.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yellow Copter to the rescue! A yellow helicopter saves a woman stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel as only this transportation vehicle can.

Nice mix of a story that spotlights a particular vehicle/form of transportation mixed with a solid action story. Great for reading aloud with PreK-2.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The unique ability of the 'copter to hover is the key to this short story with simple illustrations. This book would be a good model to teach youngsters about beginnings, middles, and ends of stories.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, colorful and lively. Something preschoolers will enjoy.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple but really cute illustrations - simple text. Rhyme flows well. Good storytime book for younger patrons.

[pati · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know it's a picture book, but the story should be plausible. Kids are learning and teaching them that a helicopter rescue from a Ferris wheel is just silly!

[Alyssa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Pictures are kind of fun, but there is not much of a story and the rhymes aren't that great...

[RC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yellow Copter promotes vocabulary, phonological awareness and print awareness.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: Infant-Toddler
Things That Go: Helicopter

Super simple story about a very helpful helicopter--and his driver. Big, bold, simple images make it perfect for reading to a group.

[Maggie KutsBorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the things-that-go obsessed crowd - a crisply illustrated story that shows a helicopter in action.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, simple story with clear pictures

Helicopter saves a teacher from stuck on a Ferris wheel.

Theme: Things That Go, Helping Heroes