Everyone has a unique story to share, and this narrative nonfiction text about the life of first female pilot Lilian Bland is no exception. Reading about Lilian Bland's life experiences and the paths she chose to pursue helps young students in English Language Arts make connections to others and to the world. Reflecting on important people in history, like Lilian Bland, who have persevered through challenging and difficult times, overcome obstacles, and set out to pursue their passions, builds students' confidence to explore their own strengths and abilities in Career Education for kindergarten to grade 3. After reading, students can apply creative thinking skills in ADST to plan and design their own model airplanes using materials such as popsicle sticks, cloth, toothpicks, paper, and cardboard.

Other End Matter: Historical Timeline
Images: Colour illustrations
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Evaluator: Shannon S., School Librarian, BC Books for Schools

Haley Healey is a high school counsellor, registered clinical counsellor, and the bestselling author of On Their Own Terms: True Stories of Trailblazing Women of Vancouver Island, Flourishing and Free: More Stories of Trailblazing Women of Vancouver Island, and Her Courage Rises: 50 Trailblazing Women of British Columbia and the Yukon. A self-proclaimed trailblazing woman herself, she has taught in isolated fly-in communities, guided whitewater canoe expeditions, and plays the violin. She has an avid interest in wild places and unconventional people.

Haley Healey's profile page

Kimiko Fraser is an illustrator and historian-in-training. She grew up constantly making—drawing, painting, knitting, sculpting, bookbinding, etc.—and has never learned how to stop. She is the illustrator of Her Courage Rises: 50 Trailblazing Women of British Columbia and the Yukon. She holds a bachelor of arts (honours History, major Visual Arts) from the University of Victoria. She works with many mediums to create her illustrations, including watercolour, digital, ink, and tea. Most of her work is inspired by her interest in plants, history, and folktales.

Kimiko Fraser's profile page

“Haley Healey's latest book introduces readers to an incredibly brave, multi-talented woman who should be much better known. Lilian Bland’s story will encourage and inspire kids — and adults — to follow their dreams, just as she did.”
—Elizabeth MacLeod, author of Meet Elsie MacGill and Meet Buffy Sainte-Marie

“Lilian Bland led a fascinating life that was anything but bland. A new challenge was what she loved best and she wouldn’t let anything hold her back. Here is a fascinating introduction to her inspiring story.”
—Hugh Brewster, author of Unsinkable Lucile: How A Farm Girl Became The Queen of Fashion And Survived The Titanic

“As a mother with an eldest daughter who is a commercial pilot, I was delighted to learn about the life of Lillian Bland (the first woman to design, build, and fly her own plane) in the pages of this informative biography of this Canadian pioneer aviator!”
—Susan Hughes, Toronto-based author of many children’s books, editor, writer, and story coach