Up and Away!: How Two Brothers Invented the Hot-Air Balloon

Up and Away!: How Two Brothers Invented the Hot-Air Balloon
By Jason Henry
Sterling Children's Books, 2018. Informational Picture Book.

Although it may be a little cold outside to imagine riding in a hot-air balloon right now, I have always wanted the chance to try it. Hot-air balloons intrigue me. Their beauty blows me away, especially when a whole group of hot-air balloons are all in the sky at the the same time.

Joseph and Étienne Montgolfier lived in the 1700's. Joseph loved tinkering and discovering. Étienne loved the business side of things. Together they were the perfect combination to invent the first flying hot-air balloon. Readers will see how Joseph's interest in paper floating above a fire led him to experiment with heating up air to make taffeta material float in air. Joseph enlists Étienne immediately and they are invited to show their invention to the King of France!

Henry will hook even the youngest listeners as they find out what happens with the true story of the Montgolfier brothers.

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