Mavis: The Little Plane Spotter

The story is set in Australia during World War two, during the bombing of Darwin. Mavis is keen to help the war effort but is told she is too young. She is presented with an opportunity to volunteer as a plane spotter alongside her older sister, Doreen, in the local town's clock tower. Inspired by a true story, my 7 year old daughter was captivated by both the story and the historical illustrations. She saw a reflection of herself in Mavis, promoting a lot of curious questions about this period of time. She loves the book so much that it now has a permanent spot on her bedside table. "Eyes on the skies, Mavis. Eyes on the skies"

Mavis the Little Plane Spotter" by Angela Toniolo is a powerful mentor text for both classroom use and beyond. Using a narrative approach to share this historic moment, the book captivates young readers and makes history feel personal and engaging. The use of language is vivid and purposeful, providing an excellent model for students to emulate. The strong narrative voice draws readers in, demonstrating how voice and perspective can bring a story to life. This book is not only informative but also inspiring—a great tool for teaching writing and historical awareness.

A wonderful story with some historical background sure to appeal to readers of all ages. The illustrations are so well aligned with the time setting for the story. I would love to read more books by this author.