Hot air balloon books are not only for those that pilot, love to fly or want to experience hot air balloons. In fact, there are many different types of books centered around hot air balloons. These include children’s, instructional, historical, story and even picture books. The list of these types of books is very large and keeps growing as many people seek to document their love for this wonderful mode of transport.
Books about Hot Air Balloons
Children’s Books
Violet the Pilot: this is a series of books for the five to nine age group. Violet the Pilot has adventures in almost any country all around the world. This book is a good one to start with when introducing a child to series books. It is adventure filled, as Violet encounters new people and circumstances on her way around the world.
Hot-Air Henry: this is a book for children between the ages of 4 and 8. It deals with the adventures of a Siamese cat that ends up on a hot air balloon. It does not give specific information on how the hot air balloon operates, instead it is a fun book that will expand your child’s imagination.
Photo Books
Photo hot air balloon books often show the adventures of the pilot over a specific time period. the books listed below show adventures from particular years and balloon festivals. They are all loaded with colourful images of hot air balloons and beautiful scenery.
- Ballooning Over 2000
- The Art of Ballooning
- The Joy of Ballooning
- Colourful Air Too
Historical Books
The Dominion of the Air: John McKenzie Bacon is the author of this book. He did a great job in capturing the history of the hot air balloon in its entire marvel. This book is an ode to hot air balloon navigators from 1793 to around 1902. This book came out in the early 20th century but still has much relevance to today’s hot air balloon fanatics. It shows a part of history that some hold very dear to them.
Instructional Books
There are many instructional books about hot air balloons. Some provide explanations about how to build small hot air balloons or sky lanterns or large ones capable of carrying a pilot and passengers. Some even give advice on how to pilot a hot air balloon. these books are usually very thorough since they give professional advice and most of them can be followed word for word. If however, one is not certain about building a hot air balloon, especially one that has the potential to carry passengers, seek professional help. The books listed below are two very thorough instructional books.
- How to Build Your Own Model Hot-Air Balloons
- Balloon Builders Journal CD
Story Books
A Skylark in Blue Yonder: this is a funny book about the journey one man (a high school principal) to become a hot air balloon pilot. The book is the non-fictional account about the adventures the hobby of hot air ballooning brought this man and essentially how it changed his life.
Hot air balloon books are available to all age groups and are very diverse even though the central point is always about a hot air balloon. These books whether, children’s, historical or story books are sure to give more knowledge about the human connection with hot air balloons.