Miss Todd and Her Wonderful Flying Machine
Inspired by the animated short film

Miss Todd and Her Wonderful Flying Machine

"Miss Todd and Her Wonderful Flying Machine" is a children's picture book that tells the inspiring true story of Lily Todd, recognized as the first woman to design and build an airplane. The narrative highlights her determination and resilience in overcoming societal obstacles in the early 20th century, a time when aviation was largely dominated by men.

The book showcases Todd's journey, emphasizing themes of courage and perseverance as she pursues her dream of flight. It is illustrated with stills from a short film adaptation, bringing a visual dimension to her remarkable story.

This engaging tale not only educates young readers about an important figure in aviation history but also encourages them to follow their dreams despite challenges.

Author: Kristina Yee

Kristina is a passionate storyteller who has a background in animation and film. She was born in California as the second of four children and has always dreamed of exploring the world. Currently residing in Ireland, she continues to pursue her ambition of changing the world through storytelling. Her work on "Miss Todd" reflects her commitment to inspiring young readers, particularly girls, to follow their dreams despite challenges.

Author: Frances Poletti

Frances was born in Nottingham, England, is a writer for stage, film, and books. Her love for storytelling was nurtured during weekends spent watching classic Hollywood films with her grandmother. Frances now lives in London and draws inspiration from historical figures like Katharine Hepburn while crafting narratives that celebrate determination and resilience. She hopes to one day live by the sea with her rescue greyhounds, surrounded by good books.

Book Details:

  • Publisher: Compendium Publishing & Communications
  • Format: Paperback
  • Print length: 32 pages
  • Dimensions: 23.88 x 1.52 x 26.92 cm
  • Reading age: 6-9 years old
  • Publication date: 1 Jun. 2015
  • ISBN: 978-1938298769

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About the short film that inspired this children's book

Author: Kristina Yee

The short film "Miss Todd" is an animated feature that tells the story of E. Lilian Todd, the first woman in the world to design and build an airplane. Released in 2013, it won a Student Academy Award and made history as the first animated film to win in the Foreign Film category. The film also received the Royal Television Award in 2014 and was showcased at numerous film festivals globally.

The narrative follows Lily Todd's journey as she faces societal challenges in her quest to achieve flight during the early 20th century. Despite being told that women should not aspire to fly, Lily's determination leads her to create her own flying machine. The film combines historical facts with imaginative storytelling, illustrating her struggles and triumphs in a male-dominated field.

The success of the film inspired the children's book "Miss Todd and Her Wonderful Flying Machine," which uses stills from the animation to further convey Lily's inspiring story of perseverance and courage.

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