Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride
What’s inside...
In 1783, the first successful hot-air balloon flight took place in Paris, France. This is the story of the Montgolfier brothers, who invented the balloon, and the first passengers, a sheep, a duck, and a rooster, who took the first flight. The story is based on true events, with a few fictional elements added for fun. The illustrations are colorful and lively, bringing the story to life. The book also includes a note from the author about the historical accuracy of the story and the inspiration behind it. The first 'manned' hot-air balloon is about to take off! But what are those noises coming from the basket? Based on the possibly true report of a day in 1783, this is the story of perhaps the bravest collection of flyers the world has ever seen, as sort of told to Marjorie Priceman.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it felt like for the animals to ride in a hot-air balloon for the first time?
Why do you think the author chose animals instead of people for her story?
How do you think the view from the hot-air balloon might have changed how the animals saw their world?
What part of the adventure would you have liked to experience yourself?
How do you think working together helped the animals during their journey?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and describe out loud what they would see from a hot-air balloon, enhancing their creative thinking.
Ask your child to draw a picture of their own hot-air balloon and what characters they would take on a journey, fostering creativity and personal connection to the story.
Discuss the feelings of excitement, fear, and curiosity that might arise during such an adventure, helping your child identify and express emotions.
Relate the story’s theme of exploration to your child's own experiences or dreams of exploring new places.
Highlight the teamwork aspect shown by the animals, stressing the importance of working together to overcome challenges.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage to explore new things
Explanation: The characters in the book demonstrate bravery by venturing into the unknown during their hot-air balloon ride.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to trying new activities or subjects at school, encouraging personal growth and self-confidence.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The story showcases how collective efforts of the balloonists make the flight possible, highlighting the importance of working together.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of cooperation in group projects or family tasks, enhancing their social skills and ability to work with others.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters are driven by a desire to learn more about the world above, promoting a spirit of inquiry.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to ask questions and seek answers, fostering a lifelong love for learning and critical thinking.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The balloonists encounter and solve various challenges during their journey, exemplifying effective problem-solving strategies.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this to overcoming obstacles in their daily lives, whether in academic, social, or personal contexts.