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Paper Planes
Mia and Ben are the very best of friends. They live side by side at the edge of a great, wide lake and together they sail, and swing, and sing. But the thing they love the most is making paper planes. They dream of one day being able to make a plane that will fly all the way across the lake, and their planes become more and more intricate... But one terrible news. Ben's family are moving far, far away. How can Mia and Ben stay best friends if they are so far apart And how will they ever realise their dream of making a plane that can fly across their lake Find out in this moving, lyrical story of friendship and flight.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 4, 2019
1 person is currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 5, 2020
Hello, friends! Our book today is Paper Planes by Jim Helmore & Richard Jones, a touching story of enduring friendship.
Mia and Ben are best friends. They grew up next door to each other on the shore of a great, wide lake. They share everything, especially their greatest passion: aeronautics. Making paper and model planes, they would race their creations against the flying geese and dream of one day making a plane that could fly all the way across the lake. Yet their idyllic friendship is suddenly dealt a heavy blow; Ben breaks the news that his family is moving very far away. The pair promise to remember each other, and to stay friends. But as the seasons change, Mia begins to feel ever lonelier, hurt, and sad. In a rage, she smashes the model plane Ben had given her as a goodbye present, and feels even worse. That night, however, something magical happens: the plane is restored, and able to fly Mia across the sea to visit Ben in her dreams. And when she wakes, she finds that, even through distance and strain, great friendship is worth working on.
Fantastic. This gentle and tender tale of the difficulty of losing a friend to distance – both literal and figurative – is as beautiful to look at as it is to read. Mia and Ben both experience the quiet and lonesome frustrations of their separation in a way that does not trivialize these very big feelings, yet gives the reader hope that those same feelings will pass. And Ben’s final gesture of reaching out to Mia works as a wonderful metaphor for the work that both parties must put into a friendship, and how incredible the results can be. The soft, chalky art is stunning and emotional, and fits the tone of the story perfectly. The length is fine for any age and JJ and I both loved it. A great story of the power of friendship to help us fly, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved.
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Mia and Ben are best friends. They grew up next door to each other on the shore of a great, wide lake. They share everything, especially their greatest passion: aeronautics. Making paper and model planes, they would race their creations against the flying geese and dream of one day making a plane that could fly all the way across the lake. Yet their idyllic friendship is suddenly dealt a heavy blow; Ben breaks the news that his family is moving very far away. The pair promise to remember each other, and to stay friends. But as the seasons change, Mia begins to feel ever lonelier, hurt, and sad. In a rage, she smashes the model plane Ben had given her as a goodbye present, and feels even worse. That night, however, something magical happens: the plane is restored, and able to fly Mia across the sea to visit Ben in her dreams. And when she wakes, she finds that, even through distance and strain, great friendship is worth working on.
Fantastic. This gentle and tender tale of the difficulty of losing a friend to distance – both literal and figurative – is as beautiful to look at as it is to read. Mia and Ben both experience the quiet and lonesome frustrations of their separation in a way that does not trivialize these very big feelings, yet gives the reader hope that those same feelings will pass. And Ben’s final gesture of reaching out to Mia works as a wonderful metaphor for the work that both parties must put into a friendship, and how incredible the results can be. The soft, chalky art is stunning and emotional, and fits the tone of the story perfectly. The length is fine for any age and JJ and I both loved it. A great story of the power of friendship to help us fly, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved.
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
July 26, 2020
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...
PAPER PLANES is a sweet picture book about evolving friendships when friends must move away. Mia and Ben are best friends, and they live next to each other by a lake. They love to make planes and try to see if they can get them to fly all the way over the lake. Everything changes when Ben must move away, and the two trade planes.
Mia is sad and thinks of Ben often. One night she has a dream where they can fly in their planes together. The next morning, she finds a box, from Ben with a note that connects them across the distance.
What I loved: This is a softly illustrated book that conveys a sweet story of friendship and loss. Perfect for situations where children may have to lose a friend to a move, this book encourages children to enjoy their friendship and find new ways to connect. The story is told gently, with a clear and large font that make it easy to read aloud. I also appreciated that Mia is a child of color, adding some diversity to the characters in the book. The premise and continued theme of planes is also a really fun one.
Final verdict: Overall, PAPER PLANES is a lovely story of friendship across distances. Children who have experienced the sadness of their friends moving away will appreciate the ultimately hopeful story about continued connections.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
PAPER PLANES is a sweet picture book about evolving friendships when friends must move away. Mia and Ben are best friends, and they live next to each other by a lake. They love to make planes and try to see if they can get them to fly all the way over the lake. Everything changes when Ben must move away, and the two trade planes.
Mia is sad and thinks of Ben often. One night she has a dream where they can fly in their planes together. The next morning, she finds a box, from Ben with a note that connects them across the distance.
What I loved: This is a softly illustrated book that conveys a sweet story of friendship and loss. Perfect for situations where children may have to lose a friend to a move, this book encourages children to enjoy their friendship and find new ways to connect. The story is told gently, with a clear and large font that make it easy to read aloud. I also appreciated that Mia is a child of color, adding some diversity to the characters in the book. The premise and continued theme of planes is also a really fun one.
Final verdict: Overall, PAPER PLANES is a lovely story of friendship across distances. Children who have experienced the sadness of their friends moving away will appreciate the ultimately hopeful story about continued connections.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
August 24, 2024
A Ana e o Pedro são os melhores amigos. Adoram construir aviões de papel e desejam, um dia, fazer um que consiga voar até à outra margem do lago. Mas as suas famílias vão morar para sítios diferentes.
Uma história comovente sobre amizade mesmo à distância. Quando temos sentimentos fortes nem a distância é um impedimento.
Uma história tão especial que nos faz sonhar e acreditar numa amizade verdadeira.
Uma história comovente sobre amizade mesmo à distância. Quando temos sentimentos fortes nem a distância é um impedimento.
Uma história tão especial que nos faz sonhar e acreditar numa amizade verdadeira.
November 21, 2022
A lovely story of how to be friends and enjoy the things you used to, even when your friend can't be close by anymore.
August 21, 2019
Mia and Ben are two friends who enjoy making paper planes together. They dream that one day they will make a plane that will fly over the lake, but one day Ben and his family move house far away.
Yes this bitter sweet tale is designed to tug at the heart strings, which it does effortlessly. It does though have some magical and happy moments and finished nicely.
The wonderful chalky style of the illustrations add to the mood and help draw you into this story of childhood friendship.
A lovely and very moving story.
Yes this bitter sweet tale is designed to tug at the heart strings, which it does effortlessly. It does though have some magical and happy moments and finished nicely.
The wonderful chalky style of the illustrations add to the mood and help draw you into this story of childhood friendship.
A lovely and very moving story.
December 7, 2019
Two friends love making planes together until one day one of them moves far away. Can a friendship exist with an ocean between them? How can they make planes together now? This book is about coping when friends move away. It's also about keeping in touch. It is a whimsical, dreamy story with lovely exquisite illustrations and plenty of hearts....and planes. As a military family my kids have experienced more than their fair share of friend goodbyes. This book feels like it was written for families like ours.
July 19, 2022
Een mooi boekje voor het meeste van het boek, over twee kinderen die vrienden zijn, houden van vliegtuigen (vooral papieren), en altijd samen zijn. Totdat een van hen moet verhuizen! We zien dat ze het allebei niet makkelijk hebben. Tot dusver vond ik het dus goed en had ik het boek zelfs 3.5 sterren gerate, maar helaas kwam er op een punt een fantasiestukje waarin ons duo met hun speelgoedvliegtuigjes wonderlijk elkaar ontmoet tijdens de nacht... en dat vond ik zo niet passen.
Gelukkig was het einde wel weer goed.
Mooie illustraties.
Gelukkig was het einde wel weer goed.
Mooie illustraties.
May 7, 2020
Cute, and had more of a literary flavor than I was expecting. Two friends are separated when one moves away, but their love of planes and flying unites them from across the distance. Mia has this dream where she flies up in a plane among the geese, and then her friend Ben joins her. It was very sweet even though I didn't quite follow what was happening. Very nice, simple illustrations in a muted palette.
December 3, 2020
This is a good book for children who have friends that are moving away. It shows the frustration, but also hope of having a friend so far away. This also has a STEM component with the paper planes. This could also be a helpful read for children who cannot see their friends due to COVID-19. Thank you to Peachtree Publishing Company for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
January 1, 2020
Sweet story about how friendship can last even when a friend moves far away.
I could have done without the dream sequence in the middle of the story. Felt a bit off, but the story opened and closed well.
I could have done without the dream sequence in the middle of the story. Felt a bit off, but the story opened and closed well.
January 15, 2020
A sweet, simple straightforward book about two friends coping with having to separate due to one family moving. The illustrations are charming and the message is sentimental and uplifting. Great book for a young child needing to cope.
July 8, 2020
This gentle story about staying in touch with friends across distance has become a timely read as many of us cope with stay-at-home orders. A great read-aloud for kids who are missing their friends.
September 23, 2020
A wonderful story how friends stay connected through their love of paper planes. Children will learn no matter the distance, there’s always a way to keep your friends close. Great illustrations to go along with the story!!
March 14, 2021
I was given an arc of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautiful book, both in its treatment of friendship and its illustrations. And I really love that it includes the name Ben. :)
This is a beautiful book, both in its treatment of friendship and its illustrations. And I really love that it includes the name Ben. :)
November 28, 2021
Sweet book about friendship and the power of staying connected. Maybe not the most realistic portrayal of a friendship lasting (even has a dream sequence) but it's a lovely book and realism is overrated.
December 10, 2021
A story about two friends that had to part separate ways. There was some good symbolism with airplanes and imagination. I really enjoyed the way this book was illustrated. There was a high quality effect to it that I appreciate.
April 9, 2020
Note: I received an F&G at ALA Midwinter 2020.
May 28, 2020
Beautiful illustrations
September 23, 2020
A heart-felt story that reminds you friends are never too far away. Mia & Ben stay friends through their love of paper planes!! A great read with wonderful illustrations.
November 6, 2020
Friendship like paper airplanes can take flight and cover great distances.
January 26, 2022
Making paper airplanes, dealing with a friend moving far away, facing sad emotions . . . lots in this sweet story. I like the illustrations, too, and there's a dream sequence!
January 26, 2022
A great friendship story. Distance does not prevent friends from meeting and being there for one another.
June 14, 2021
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is Paper Planes by Jim Helmore & Richard Jones, a touching story of enduring friendship.
Mia and Ben are best friends. They grew up next door to each other on the shore of a great, wide lake. They share everything, especially their greatest passion: aeronautics. Making paper and model planes, they would race their creations against the flying geese and dream of one day making a plane that could fly all the way across the lake. Yet their idyllic friendship is suddenly dealt a heavy blow; Ben breaks the news that his family is moving very far away. The pair promise to remember each other, and to stay friends. But as the seasons change, Mia begins to feel ever lonelier, hurt, and sad. In a rage, she smashes the model plane Ben had given her as a goodbye present, and feels even worse. That night, however, something magical happens: the plane is restored, and able to fly Mia across the sea to visit Ben in her dreams. And when she wakes, she finds that, even through distance and strain, great friendship is worth working on.
Fantastic. This gentle and tender tale of the difficulty of losing a friend to distance – both literal and figurative – is as beautiful to look at as it is to read. Mia and Ben both experience the quiet and lonesome frustrations of their separation in a way that does not trivialize these very big feelings, yet gives the reader hope that those same feelings will pass. And Ben’s final gesture of reaching out to Mia works as a wonderful metaphor for the work that both parties must put into a friendship, and how incredible the results can be. The soft, chalky art is stunning and emotional, and fits the tone of the story perfectly. The length is fine for any age and JJ and I both loved it. A great story of the power of friendship to help us fly, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved.
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
December 10, 2021
The words in this book include incredible language associated with flying, like skimmed and swooped which could be introduced to improve their synonyms in a piece of writing.
The use of alliteration was very apparent too.
I think the underlying theme of friendship is so strong in this book and it can be found even if you aren’t always together.
Also, postcards are also considered in this book which could be a good use of a written outcome for letters.
The use of alliteration was very apparent too.
I think the underlying theme of friendship is so strong in this book and it can be found even if you aren’t always together.
Also, postcards are also considered in this book which could be a good use of a written outcome for letters.
September 9, 2019
Two friends love to do everything together. Their favorite is making paper airplanes. Ben has to move away and they still find a way to build planes together.
Touching story about friendship. Though life may change, people can maintain their friends if they work at it. Simple text for younger readers who have to cope with such changes in their lives.
Touching story about friendship. Though life may change, people can maintain their friends if they work at it. Simple text for younger readers who have to cope with such changes in their lives.
April 19, 2020
Oddly similar to Cherry Blossom and Paper Planes.
September 20, 2020
A friendship story about two friends and one moves away. They loved making paper airplanes and wonder if they can still be friends from far away. They have a broken plane and make new planes and wonder if they can still be friends when they are no longer neighbors.
March 24, 2020
Best of friends who live side by side must part when oned has to move away.
April 30, 2020
Moving far away from your best friend is hard and upsetting - but you can still remain connected with some effort. Or a shared love of building and flying airplanes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews