Planes USA! – by Jo Parker, illustrated by Tara J. Hannon

 Planes USA!  – by Jo Parker, illustrated by Tara J. Hannon, Penguin Random House, 9780593223697, 2020

Format: Board book

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5

What did you like about the book:  A cloud shaped board book that is a fun introduction to twelve USA cities from New York to Los Angeles for our youngest readers.   I loved the colorful detailed illustrations for each city and the highlights for that part of our nation, especially displaying the different sports team logos and a variety of dogs showing off their city and travelling in the plane across each location.  The trip begins in New York, where you see the Statue of Liberty, LaGaurdia and JFK airports, New York Yankees, and Mets.  The next stop is Boston Beantown and shows Fenway Park, Logan Airport, Boston Tea Party, and the Boston Red Sox.  Next, is the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia and The Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin and his kite, and the Philadelphia International airport.  Then, it is on to our Nation’s Capital, Washington, D.C. and there you will find Reagan and Dulles airports, Washington Nationals, and the White House.  The next stop is the Windy City, Chicago with the Chicago Cubs, and O’Hare International airport.   Then it’s on to Atlanta, where you will see lots of peach trees, home of Coca-Cola, Hartsfield-Jackson airport, and the Atlanta Braves.  Next, the doggies travel to Miami, the Magic City, here you will find beautiful beaches and boats, Miami International airport, and the Miami Dolphins.  Then it’s on to Dallas and the Big D, Dallas-Fort Worth airport, Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers.  The next stop is Phoenix, the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, Falcons, and Diamondbacks.  Next stop is Seattle, the Emerald City, the Public Market, Seattle-Tacoma airport, Seahawks and Mariners.  Then it’s on to San Franciso and the Golden Gate City, trolley cars, Alcatraz, San Francisco International airport, and home of the 49ers and the Giants.  Lastly, our dog friends visit the City of Angels, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Santa Monica Pier, Rodeo Drive, LAX airport, and the home of the Rams and Angels.  An exciting adventure awaits!

Anything you didn’t like about it?  I loved it and will enjoy sharing it with little ones over and over, especially before or after travelling to these 12 exciting cities.   I must admit though that I feel like the title should be different, maybe “Welcome Aboard!”  When I first read the title, “Planes USA!”, I truly thought it was going to be a board book about planes.  

To whom would you recommend this book?  A wonderful read aloud with your baby and toddlers over and over again.   The numerous dogs featured will entertain.

Who should buy this book?  Preschools, day cares, home and public libraries

Where would you shelve it ?  Board books

Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? yes

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Julie Durmis, J.C. Solmonese Elementary School, Norton, MA

Date of review:  August 20, 2020