Captain McCool by Natasha McFarlane

Illus. by Andrew McIntosh. Little Steps Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9781925839319.
(Age: 4-8) Highly recommended. Themes: Pilots, Flying, Aviation Industry, Friends. Captain McCool is written by first time Adelaide children's author, Natasha McFarlane. Natasha worked in the aviation industry for many years and felt there was a need for young children and adults to have their fascination for planes and flight recorded in an easy to read picture book. Captain McCool is the first in a series that will allow readers to gain an insight into an industry which is a part of our everyday lives.
Josh McCool has always dreamt of being a pilot. Right from an early age, he has attempted to fly - often not with success. However he joins the junior flying cadets where he learns about many of the roles people have at an airport. Josh and the friends he made in cadet school support each other throughout their pilot training and all achieve their long held dream.
The entertaining and clever rhyming text with emphasis placed on a significant word or two on each page holds the reader's interest and adds to the enjoyment of story. The illustrations by Andrew McIntosh are beautifully drawn and visually appealing.
An excellent book to have in a school or public library as it is a perfect read-aloud for younger students.
Kathryn Beilby