A Dream of Flight

by Rob Polivka

For the child who never stops building and dreaming of what's possible, this story shows how childhood curiosity can lead to world-changing inventions.

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About This Book

Reach for this book when your child is facing a setback with a creative project or feels discouraged by a difficult task. It is the perfect antidote to the frustration of 'I can't do it.' This biography follows Alberto Santos-Dumont from his childhood on a Brazilian coffee plantation to the skies of Paris, illustrating how his early curiosity about machinery evolved into the invention of the first controllable airship. Through whimsical, cartoon-style illustrations and clear diagrams, it explores themes of resilience, the joy of tinkering, and the importance of dreaming big. It is an ideal choice for elementary-aged children who are captivated by how things work and need to see that even the greatest inventors started as kids who loved to play and build.

Curiosity & Wonder Vehicles & Machines Resilience & Perseverance Creativity & Imagination Building & Engineering Discovering a Talent History Pride & Accomplishment

What Parents Should Know

Mild PerilMild

Depictions of early flying machines crashing or caught in trees during testing.

Sensitive Topics

The book is secular and focuses entirely on the scientific and personal journey of invention. It touches on the danger of early flight experiments, but the tone remains hopeful and celebratory. There are no depictions of death or trauma.