This incredibly beautiful and unusual picture book debut tells the journey of a resourceful mouse who must escape Hamburg to reach America the only way he knows how – by building his own aeroplane and flying it! There are many challenges to overcome, including predatory cats and owls, but his three failed attempts at building and flying the plane attest to his determination and engineering nous. Eventually he succeeds in flying over the Atlantic Ocean and is lauded a hero in America, which provides inspiration to a young plane enthusiast named Charles Lindbergh. At 96 pages, with numerous sepia-toned, double-page illustrations and many detailed mechanical illustrations, this is a stunning publication. It is suitable for readers aged 5 to 9, particularly those with an interest in aviation.

Angela Crocombe