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Hot Air

The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride (with audio recording)

Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
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About The Book

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 si the story of (PERHAPS) the bravest collection of flyers the world has ever seen, as (SORT OF) told to Marjorie Priceman.

About The Author

Photo Credit:
Marjorie Priceman

Marjorie Priceman, illustrator of many acclaimed picture books, has won Caldecott Honors for her illustrations in Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin! by Lloyd Moss and Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the Frist Hot-Air Balloon Ride, which she also wrote. She lives in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

About The Illustrator

Photo Credit:
Marjorie Priceman

Marjorie Priceman, illustrator of many acclaimed picture books, has won Caldecott Honors for her illustrations in Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin! by Lloyd Moss and Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the Frist Hot-Air Balloon Ride, which she also wrote. She lives in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (December 9, 2014)
  • Length: 40 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781481439053
  • Ages: 4 - 8
  • Lexile ® AD610L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetricsĀ®

Raves and Reviews

"llustrations are chock-a-block with goofy shenanigans that demand several viewings."
-- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A tale that's sure to soar with young readers."
-- Publishers Weekly

"Priceman's wonderful, vivacious black ink and watercolor paintings... add motion and buoyancy to an already soaring tale of a historic hot-air balloon ride."
-- Kirkus Reviews

Awards and Honors

  • Caldecott Honor Book
  • ILA/CBC Children's Choices
  • ALA Notable Children's Books
  • CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
  • Bank Street Best Books of the Year
  • Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Marjorie Priceman