Harry and the Hang Glider is available through Skyhigh Publications.
Meet Harry. Harry is a cottontail who lives in a burrow among yucca, cacti and sage brush in the southern Arizona desert. Harry is not just any rabbit, he's a modern-day rodent who has always dreamed of flying. So when he finds a hang glider abandoned by pilots on their way back from a long retrieve, Harry makes his dream come true.
Harry's story is told by Randy Kerchill of Tucson, Arizona. Randy is an avid hang glider pilot who has shaped his life around flying. He wrote this children's book to help explain his personal dream of flight to the younger generation. Randy also sketched the original illustrations and collaborated with D.D. Mullins to improve them. D.D. Mullins is a professional artist with an appreciation for aviation although he is not a hang glider pilot. Working together, the pair created a series of full-page, full-color illustrations of the Southwestern countryside that is very appealing to the eye.
Harry is a happy rabbit. He wears a permanent grin on his face. In fact, the only time he frowns in the whole book is when the other desert critters tell him he can't fly. But never mind that Harry doesn't have wings like his best friend, Ollie the owl, he just found a hang glider and his mind is set on learning how to use it.
Assisted by Ollie and an instructor, Harry enters the realm of flying. Harry's adventure is a lesson in perseverance. In addition to giving simple and precise information on the workings of a hang glider and how we learn to fly, it demonstates children the results of keeping a positive attitude. This message is as valuable as any other part of the book. As a side note, Harry's instructor doesn't have a name in the book but any southwestern pilot or competition pilot will recognize him from his very accurate portrait.
This book also tells a friendship story. The owl's encouragements are an integral part of Harry's learning. Harry's success is aided by Ollie's inspiration and the outcome is beneficial to both since they will become flying buddies.
Anyone who knows children know that they are very observant of details in story books. What often appears as a small item to an adult, jumps to the eye of a youngster. Harry and the Hang Glider is full of such details. Harry's "bunny hill" and the paper plane mice are only examples of how Randy Kerchill refined his story line. These details will certainly delight children who will love to return to this book.
A good children's story is one that can be interpreted in many levels. Randy Kerchill definitely succeeded in this respect. His message is informative as well as ethical and behavioral. Let's not forget the fun factor. Harry shows a lot of enthusiasm for flying, like any of us (some non-flying partners may in fact say that we all act like children ourselves when around hang gliding).
Christmas is near and I would definitely recommend this book as a gift to any child of 5 or more. The retail price of this 40 page hard cover (9 1/2 x 11 1/2) is $24.95 and you can order it from: Skyhigh Publishing, 201 N. Tyndall, Tucson, AZ 85719
Order from Skyhigh Publications.