Did you know that helicopters can fly forward, backward, and side-to-side? Or that the wingspan of a jumbo jet is almost twice as long as the distance of the Wright Brothers' first flight? Since recorded time, man has looked to the sky and dreamed of ways to fly there. A is for Airplane: An Aviation Alphabet celebrates the roots, inventions, and spirit of the science of flight. Young readers will learn about famous events such as the Spirit of St. Louis's nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean and the launch of Columbia STS-1 (the first space shuttle), as well as meet courageous aviators who broke barriers in the air and on Earth like the Tuskegee Airmen and Amelia Earhart. Aircraft of all kinds, including giant airships, wind-dependent gliders, and awe-inspiring F-16s, are depicted in spectacular artwork.

Author: Mary Ann McCabe Riehle
As a teacher, author, and mother, Mary Ann McCabe Riehle has motivated young students and adults to follow their dreams and tell their stories. A graduate of Xavier University with degrees in Communication Arts and Education, she has been a featured speaker at reading and writing conferences. She hopes her children's books will encourage and inspire readers. Mary Ann lives in Dexter, Michigan with her husband, Paul and daughters, Bridget and Ellen.

Illustrator: David Craig
Illustrator David Craig has always loved creating pictures. As the son of a Canadian WWII pilot and a British Women's Auxiliary Air Force photographer, he grew up with aviation all around him. At home, he was an avid history buff, and his drawings often depicted high-flying adventures featuring British World War II Spitfires. Today, David still maintains those passions. "I love to tell a story with my pictures," David explains. "I like to create a mood. I want to put you there." He has illustrated several children's books including First to Fly the story of the Wright brothers, which won the inaugural James Madison Book Award in 2003.