The first picture is BREATHTAKING!!! I can't get over how amazing the illustrations are in this book. The story was just as beautiful. I liked how it went along in months but he aged much faster in the book and his dream finally came true. The dialects and translations at the end of the book were an added bonus!

🍎Teacher’s Corner🍎

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for an Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Release date: Oct. 23, 2023

***

There has always been something magical about the North; images of vast plains of snow, the aurora borealis dancing in the sky, and the herds of caribou congregating by the thousands, their migration an Arctic ballet. In “Freddie the Flyer” you see it all in enchanting images of the North as we learn about Fred Carmichael and his extraordinary life as the first Indigenous Arctic pilot.

The story unfolds, told as a calendar year, each segment a month. Starting in January, we see Carmichael as a child, enamoured by planes doing everything he can to realise his dream of becoming a pilot. The months pass, detailing the changing of the seasons and the landscape as Carmichael gets older, and as a pilot experiences the beauties and the dangers of adventuring in the Arctic.

Written by Fred Carmichael and Danielle Metcalf-Chenail, this incredible story of the Arctic’s first Indigenous pilot paired with
Audrea Loreen-Wulf’s illustrations ties Carmichael intimately to the place where he lived, worked, and dreamed. Gwich’in and Inuvialuktun terms are given for the months of the year with a wonderful glossary that gives the meaning of each name.

An empowering story, Carmichael’s journey to becoming a pilot is inspiring and illustrates the power of dreams.



QOTD: Have you ever seen the Northern Lights?

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The illustrations in this book are absolutely gorgeous, wow. It is a great story for children who are interested in airplanes/flying and for introducing children to indigenous cultures in Northern Canada. I especially loved the inclusion of indigenous language and the introductory section in the back that explains the meanings of the names of all the months. This book was clearly a passion project for everyone involved and is very well done.

I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! The illustrations are absolutely breath taking. The use of three languages, but only for the month names, was just perfect. The story of Freddy is inspiring and sweet. I felt like you can kind of pick up on the soul of the man through the prose of the book.

FEARLESS FREDDIE
Freddie the Flyer
Written by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail
Illustrated by Audra Laureen-Wulf

An inspirational picture book presents its readers with an extraordinary example of courage, resilience, and persistence.

The author employs the calendar as a storytelling tool. Each month of the year represents a stage in the life of Fred Carmichael, the first pilot of the Northern Indigenous people. Readers meet Freddie in January when he spots an airplane for the first time. He remains steadfast in his dream to become a pilot.

Freddie faced the loss of his home and adversity. He worked to support his family but never wavered in his ambition. Eventually, he learned to fly and taught others the skills of aviation. Freddie acquired his own business and became a business leader as well as a staunch advocate for his native people. His success never hampered his humanity and empathy for those in need.

I especially enjoyed the inclusion of Freddie’s native language, the photographs, and the biography as bonus features from the author. This picture book is first rate in content, illustration, and life lessons. Targeted for elementary school children but a treat for any age reader.

- Reviewed by Barbara Ann Mojica, children’s book author for Net Galley.

Freddie the Flyer by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail and Fred Carmichael is a gorgeously illustrated picture book that tells the story of Fred Carmichael, the first Northern Indigenous commercial pilot. From the age of twelve, Fred dreamed of flying planes and did just that for 60 years. From supply runs to transporting dog teams, Fred serviced the remote communities of the North. Audrea Wulf perfectly captures the beauty of the area, particularly the stunning Northern Lights. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC.