Alis the Aviator

by Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail

illustrated by Kalpna Patel

Come along on an aviation journey with Alis!

This spunky female guide will take you through an ABC of planes featuring gorgeous cut-paper art. An A to Z of planes past and present, this book has stunning cut-paper art and a cute-as-a-button guide named Alis. Named for Dr. Alis B. Kennedy, likely one of the first Indigenous women to obtain a commercial pilot licence with land and sea ratings in Canada, Alis will take you on an aviation tour from the Avro Arrow to the Zeppelin and everything in between.

Ideal for:
National STEAM Day November 8, Louis Riel Day and Métis Heritage Day November 16, International Aviation Day/ Day of the Girl December 17, International Day of Women and Girls in Science February 11, Aboriginal Awareness Week May, National Indigenous history Month June.

Alis the Aviator. Text © 2019 Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail Illustrations © 2021 Kalpna Patel. Reproduced by permission of Tundra Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada Young Readers, a Penguin Random House Company, Toronto.

Suitable for: JK to grade 3.
Themes: Aircraft designs, historical context of Indigenous female role model.
Available: September 1, 2022
Languages: English

Video Resources

All videos associated with QR Coded signs from the Book Set are located here and can be viewed at any time.

Book Creators

Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail

Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail grew up in a family of plane enthusiasts in Ottawa, Ontario—but she’s not actually a pilot herself (much to her son’s dismay!). Instead, she’s a writer who has researched and written aviation and reconciliation stories in Edmonton, the North and now Houston, Texas, where she lives with her family and fur babies. She is the author of For the Love of Flying and Polar Winds.

Kalpna Patel

Kalpna Patel is an artist, jeweler and crafter living in Toronto, Ontario. About a third of her life is spent around books–reading books, selling books and cutting books up and making stuff with them. She creates window displays for independent businesses, is an event decorator and organizer for City of Craft and works part time at a bookstore, all while making jewelery and creating art installations around the city.