Meet the Author
Julie Whitney is a public relations professional with forty years of experience in public relations and marketing, having worked on both the agency and client side as well as in the television industry. Her company, Phillippi-Whitney Communications, LLC, founded in 2000, represents both large and small clients in a wide variety of industries. She has promoted dozens of authors throughout her career, often supplementing the efforts of the internal PR teams of their publishers. She also works as on-camera talent, appearing in both television commercials and video podcasts. She even appeared as an extra in the movie Grease, which was shot on location in the summer of 1977 in Los Angeles.
Julie lives in Cincinnati with her husband Dan, a corporate pilot upon whom the character of Captain Dan is based. A naval aviator and USNA grad, he flew the P-3 Orion on active duty, and has flown a Gulfstream G100 (Astra) for the past thirteen years. With four grown children, they are now empty nesters and love spending time with their black Lab, Brody. They also enjoy traveling, boating, golfing, and all types of physical fitness.
Details
Format: Paperback, Hardcover, E-book
Pages: 44
ISBN Hardcover: 978-1-953021-41-0
ISBN Paperback: 978-1-953021-42-7
ISBN E-book: 978-1-953021-43-4
Release date: 3/7/2022
Endorsements
“Meet Astra, a private luxury jet who has a lot of big feelings to express! Children will identify with the emotional upheaval Astra experiences that comes from saying goodbye to a beloved friend and then, after an uncertain journey, moving to a new home. The illustrations are bright and accessible, and the rhyme scheme will delight young readers.”
—Julie Bogart, author of The Brave Learner, creator and founder of the online writing and literature program Brave Writer
“Astra the Lonely Airplane is a sweetly told story of one little plane’s journey to find new purpose and joy. The book progresses in rhyming couplets; something that is not only fun for children but also holds their attention and enhances their understanding of language. The bright illustrations invite children to empathize with the character’s feelings of loneliness, uncertainty, friendship, and hope. Along the way, they will also learn some fun facts about airplanes and can imagine what it is like to travel across the country. The glossary and accompanying worksheets are a won- derful addition to this lovely and educational book. Until they can read Astra’s next adventure, children will look forward to keeping her company by reading this one over and over!”
—Rev. Andrea Raynor, M.Div., United Methodist minister, hospice chaplain and spiritual counselor, and author of The Voice that Calls You Home, A Light on the Corner, and others
“It’s rare that a children’s book teaches such a broad range of lessons. Astra the Lonely Airplane educates young readers not only about planes and geography, but also about overcoming hard- ship and adversity, and embracing new circumstances that may occur in their lives. The fact that it’s done in such a fun and entertaining way is a total home run for parents and kids.”
—Rocky Boiman, former NFL linebacker, host on 700WLW in Cincinnati, college football analyst for ESPN, and author of Rocky’s Rules
“My third-grade class loved Astra the Lonely Airplane! The vocabulary sparked their interest in airplanes. Questions about the pilot, how planes are flown, and who flies in these types of planes were discussed. They are excited for the next book! As a teacher, I love seeing their enthusiasm about books. I can’t wait to get a copy for the kids to read themselves.”
—Amy Shuck, third-grade teacher
“Astra the Lonely Airplane is an easy-to-read rhyming book with a message—something I really appreciate as a mental health professional! This clever book helps children see how to navigate uncertain circumstances through the eyes of a whimsical jet airplane. You can feel the adventure of the story, complete with a fun happy ending.”
—Tammy Wynn, LISW, MHA, RVT, owner of Angel’s Paws, licensed pilot
“Astra the Lonely Airplane is a beautiful children’s book that employs rhythmic sequencing and the use of personification to connect with the young reader. The illustrations are brilliant, and supplemental materials connect the young reader with the industry of air travel. In an age in which rapid changes to our society can create feelings of isolation, Astra the Lonely Airplane reassures children that there is a place where all of us are valued and are able to make important contributions.”
—Jeff Brokamp, senior vice-president, junior achievement, retired administrator, Cincinnati Public Schools
Meet the Illustrator
Michelle Simpson is a full-time illustrator based out of the Niagara Region of Canada. She graduated with a BAA in illustration from Sheridan College. Michelle’s main focus is on children’s book illustrations and educational material for kids. She has worked with many large publishing houses and has also created concept artwork and final backgrounds for season two of the children’s TV show Ollie: The Boy Who Became What He Ate and season one of Tee and Mo.
