The Flying Feminist

About this book

In 1878, Lilian Emily Bland was born in Kent. Unconventional from a young age, Lilian was ridiculed because she didn’t want to do the usual ‘ladylike’ activities, but preferred hunting, fishing and writing about sports for a newspaper. 

However, when Lilian is sent a postcard with a picture of a plane on the front, it awakes in her a new passion: to build a plane and fly it. Sure enough, after much study, Lilian fulfils her dream, becoming the first woman in the world to build and fly an aeroplane. 

This wonderfully illustrated picture book about a little-known inspiring woman from history is a lovely discovery. Encouraging for young engineers and children who are curious about building things, this is a particularly interesting read for girls. Finding out about women who have come before them that let their brilliance shine is deeply inspiring, and Boone’s short biography of Lilian at the end has lots of great information for young readers. Highly recommended.