Freddie the Flyer

A gorgeous picture book that pays homage to aviator Freddie Carmichael — the first Indigenous commercial pilot in the Arctic —with each month of the year highlighting moments from his life, the beauty of the North and the power of dreams.

When Freddie was young, he saw a plane up close for the first time when it dropped off supplies at his family’s remote bush camp. He was instantly hooked.

Freddie has flown for nearly seventy years, doing everything from supply runs to search and rescue to transporting dog teams to far-flung areas.

This book celebrates Freddie’s early dreams of flying and his later achievements. Readers move with Freddie through the year, hearing about his journey as a pilot and leader, while learning the names of the months in Gwich’in and Inuvialuktun at the same time. Art from Inuvialuit painter Audrea Loreen-Wulf perfectly captures the incredible Western Arctic as well as Freddie’s love for aviation.

 

Authors: Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail and Fred Carmichael
Illustrated by: Audrea Loreen-Wulf

Alis the Aviator
Come along on an aviation journey with Alis! This spunky female guide will take you through an ABC of planes in this picture book featuring gorgeous cut-paper art.An A to Z of planes past and present, this book has stunning cut-paper art and a cute-as-a-button guide named Alis. Named for Dr. Alis B. Kennedy, likely one of the first Indigenous women to obtain a commercial pilot licence with land and sea ratings in Canada, Alis will take you on an aviation tour from the Avro Arrow to the Zeppelin and everything in between.Meticulously researched and uniquely crafted, this is a one-of-a-kind book that will delight aviation fans big and little.

 

Author: Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail
Illustrated by: Kalpna Patel