Sadie the Air Mail Pilot by Kellie Strom

Text and Illustrations copyright © 2007 by Kellie Strom

Sadie is a member of a small crew of air mail pilots. The pilots' routes take them from Air Mail Headquarters to Chile, Peru, Argentina and other South American countries. One day, Sadie is assigned to deliver mail to the Knuckle Peak Weather Station which is at the summit of a steep mountain range.

The weather is perfect, initially.  As she approaches Knuckle Peak, however, the skies become overcast as a snow storm approaches. When Sadie radios to Knuckle Peak for the forecast, she is informed of the inclement weather and urged to return to HQ.  Sadie is an intrepid pilot dedicated to her job, and she is perhaps a bit foolhardy.  She does not heed the weather warning but instead flies through the storm, up, up, up to Knuckle Peak. "Things look grim, but don't get nervous, Nothing scares the Air Mail Service!"

She arrives safely and after completing the mail delivery and chatting and eating with the two occupants of the station,  it is time to return to Air Mail HQ. Weather conditions, however, have deteriorated even more.  Sadie  is encouraged to wait out the storm by Weatherbird Gusty and Forecaster Fogg, but she declines. She repeats an oath of the Air Mail Service: "The winds may blow ice and snow, But still the Air Mail's got to go!" She takes off in her little red plane, but a disaster occurs - Sadie's instruments begin to freeze causing her to crash. Fortunately, she is rescued in short order and a creative solution is found to get her plane back soaring in the air. Sadie, the fearless tiger, returns to Air Mail HQ - mission accomplished!

Since my daughter has two older brothers, she is a bit of a tomboy. She loves to run, climb, jump, flip, slide, build and now play basketball. She is also a "girly girl", so she is very likely to engage in those activities wearing a party dress and carrying a Hello Kitty purse.  I love the combination because, honestly, I do not think I could tolerate her exclusively wanting to be a princess, wearing shades of pink and having tea parties daily.

In the years since my daughter's birth as I have sought books for her library collection, I have been extremely frustrated. While Princess books abound, it is difficult finding adventure picture books featuring female characters. Sadie the Air Mail Pilot is one of the few wonderful exceptions.  On the flip side, you can't swing a stick without hitting an action-packed picture book featuring a male character.  Thus, my boys have a large, wonderful collection. Take heed writers out there, I know many little girls who would love more thrilling picture books featuring - GIRLS!

While Sadie is a female tiger, do not let that prevent you from seeking out this book for little boys in your life. My own boys, even now at 6 and 4 years of age, still request that Sadie the Air Mail Pilot be read. My daughter,  for whom I purchased the book in the first place, is only now at the right age to enjoy this great story. I recently shared it with her, and she was enthralled by the illustrations and pulls it out everyday.  Kellie Strom's illustrations in Sadie the Air Mail Pilot are the most striking and unique that I have ever seen. There are so many details to study that even years later, we frequently find something new. I can predict that Sadie the Air Mail Pilot will continue to be one of the most oft requested books in the house for a few more years.

Unfortunately, Sadie the Air Mail Pilot is not part of the Chicago Public Library's collection. Even more upsetting, this wonderful book appears to be out of print. Luckily, used copies can be found online. I suggest you do so. Neither you nor the kids in your life, will be disappointed.