Pilot Mom

by Kathleen Benner Duble, Alan Marks (Illustrator)

Jenny and her best friend K.C. accompany Jenny's mother, a tanker pilot in the Air Force, to the air base, where they explore her plane, a KC-135, prior to her departure on a training mission to Europe.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Kathleen Benner Duble had sixteen car accidents before she was twenty-one. Being an at-home writer keeps her from hitting the road (or anyone else)! She is the author of eight books for children. Kathleen loves digging for unique historical fiction plotlines and encouraging students and lovers of books to look for great stories right in their own backyard!

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jenny’s mom, an Air Force tanker pilot, is preparing for a training mission. But before she goes, she takes Jenny and her best friend, K.C. to see the air base. Although both girls are eager to explore, K.C. thinks being a pilot is exciting but Jenny only worries about her mom being safe and wonders if she likes flying more than she likes being a mom.

Although a bit dated [with a reference to the Gulf War three years ago], the heart of the story is the relationship between mother and daughter, the difficulties of military parents having to be away from their families, and the positive look at a woman doing an important job. This is a book for parents to read with their children and to reassure them that nothing will take the child’s place in the parent’s heart.

Highly recommended.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful tale about a Mom who is also a Major in the Maine Air National Guard, flying tankers (KC-135s). Her daughter is often worried for her mom, especially when she has to fly far away and over dangerous places. But they have a close bond and share special traditions and routines, a bit of superstition that aviators around the world can relate to. As a navigator who has flown in these aircraft and others like them, it's a wonderful way to share a little bit of my career with our girls, especially because I'm not flying right now.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

There aren't enough picture books showing women in non-traditional roles. In this books based on the author's sister, mom flies tanker jets. As a read-aloud that made it appealing to boys as well as girls. It is also a good book for children whose parents are in the military, it reassures them that there parent will go and do their job and then come home. A nice book on several levels.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story reflects on young Jenny's preparation for her mom's departure on a military training mission as a pilot. The story was informative and detailed. The small audience enjoyed the story during preschool storytime. It was also enjoyable to hear the story of a military female pilot.

[Dewey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good god, this book is LONG. So many words. Too many words. Edit.

[Ashley Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a child who doesn't want her mother to leave on duty is a heart-warming story about love. This story discusses the child's fear of the possibility that her mother may not return home and her process for working to overcome it. I think this is a great story to read to students so that they can gain a perspective of what it is like to have a family member in the service.