School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-One remarkable milestone on the path to flight was the first manned balloon trip, which occurred in 1783. Up to that point, no one had accomplished a trip between countries, so Dr. John Jeffries (English) and Jean-Pierre Blanchard (French) decided to be the first. Jeffries and Blanchard allowed their competitive spirit to come between them until the trip had a few precarious moments; once they faced possible disaster, they quickly began working as a team to successfully cross the English Channel into France. The illustrations vary from traditional to graphic novel-style at points, using panels and dialogue balloons. Olshan establishes suspense as the two encounter problems and danger during their voyage, and children will want to keep reading and learning more about this historic trip. An author's note discusses the true details incorporated in the story and explains the creative license taken. VERDICT A delightful tale that will captivate elementary students with comedy, suspense, and beautiful illustrations.-April Sanders, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
The team behind the The Mighty Lalouche (2013) recounts the first international balloon journey, an expedition across the English Channel undertaken by a British doctor named Jeffries and a French balloonist named Blanchard in 1785. Tension arises even before the balloon leaves the ground as Jeffries discovers that Blanchard is plotting to exclude him from the trip. The two men cold-shoulder each other as the journey gets underway, but when the balloon starts to lose altitude, Blanchard's heroism turns them into friends and allies. (They're in their bloomers at the time, and Olshan keeps their rapprochement from getting too sentimental with a hilarious peeing scene.) The baroque ornamentation and carefully lettered speech balloons of Blackall's spreads recall the work of George Cruikshank; like him, she has a gift for revealing that people dressed in petticoats and tricorne hats are just as human as the rest of us. With humor that's never snarky, Olshun reminds readers that, sometimes, the challenge adventurers must overcome is not the elements; it's their own vanity. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Seth Fishman, Gernert Company. Illustrator's agent: Nancy Gallt, Gallt & Zacker Literary. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Olshan and Blackall (The Mighty Lalouche, rev. 5/13) present another quirky account of lesser-known history. In the year 1785 it seemed that everyone was flying, including an Italiana Scota womaneven a sheep. Dr. John Jeffries (born in Boston but considering himself an Englishman) and Frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard were determined to be the first to complete an international flight by crossing the English Channel in a hot-air balloon. The greatest challenge, as it turns out, was not the trip itself but the duos cantankerous relationship. Verbal jabs (You, monsieur, are no gentleman), personal slights (intentionally taking off before Jeffries delivers his farewell speech), and sneaky tricks (the wearing of a lead vest to throw off cargo weight) are plenty and humorous. The voyage (apart from the pairs frequent arguments) is going welluntil the balloon overinflates, at which point Jeffries intervenes, causing the craft to dangerously descend toward the sea below. Jeffries and Blanchard work together to send sandbags, a violin, flags, and the pairs clothing -- excluding underwear -- overboard to lighten the load. They even pee (every little bit helps). Blackalls witty illustrations -- which include full-page art and double-page spreads in color along with occasional black-and-white comic-panel strips; word balloons; and florid ornamentation -- feel plucked from the time period. An authors note directs readers to Dr. Jeffriess firsthand account of the flight and reveals that portions of the book rely on Olshan and Blackalls creative adaptation of factual events. patrick gall (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
This embellished tale is loosely based on a true event: the first international balloon flight, from England to France, in 1785.Pierre Blanchard, a Frenchman with design and flight experience, makes the crossing with his English financial backer, Dr. John Jeffries. The two dont get along well, and their invented squabbling drives much of the dialogue-heavy narrative. Their historical flight suffers a near miss during its two-hour, 47minute crossing. For dramatic flair, Olshan invents Blanchards little nap and Jeffries bungled attempt to relieve pressure in the balloon. With the balloon losing elevation, the men shed sandbags, the winglike oars, rudder, anchor, violin, and most of their clothing. They even pee over the sides. (Thats apparently a documented fact). The near-sinking engenders a shift, with the two men cooperative and mutually congratulatory, as they disembarkin their underdrawers and clutching their respective pet dogsto cheering crowds. Blackalls signature watercolors, featuring pale, pink-cheeked, white figures, stylized period clothing, and pastel backgrounds, alternate with inked comics-styled panels conjuring such events as the precipitous near-sinking and the balloons tree-snagged landing. The mens disagreeable carping, which preoccupies much of the story, ultimately diminishes its child appeal. Subtitle notwithstanding, crafted more to amuse than edify. (authors note) (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Rarely has a story of a historic first been so silly. Olshan and Blackall together tell the somewhat fictionalized tale of American (then English) Dr. John Jeffries and French Jean-Pierre Blanchard's first international journey by balloon, from England to France, in 1785. The two blustery men and their dogs, Henry and Henri don't get along, but when their balloon starts sinking fast, they quickly concoct a plan. And what a plan! When dumping all their extra baggage (including their clothes) still doesn't do the trick, they decide to evacuate (their bladders). Those last few ounces are enough to get them aloft again, though their arrival in France is less than grand. Blackall's signature watercolor illustrations, in a vintage palette and full of old-fashioned details, amp up the levity with humorous comic strips showcasing the balloonists' over-the-top arguments, and depictions of the dogs' anguished reactions to their owners' egos. An author's note sifts fact from fiction, and while the historic journey is notable, kids will likely be more drawn in by the farcical details and clownish bickering.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2016 Booklist