Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Planes But Didn't Know Who To Ask

We follow Nathalie, aged about 8, as she gets a tour of an airport, a jetliner, and finally goes on a ride. She also acts as narrator, assisted by Sean, a boy who appears to be about as old as Nathalie. From a production standpoint, the program features a corny script, sloppy editing, lots of waving at the camera, and marginal photography. But setting all that aside, it could prove a real asset to a collection, because Nathalie is just an ordinary little girl other kids can relate to--though she does gain access to some extraordinary places, like the cargo area of the plane (which would definitely be off limits to anyone not making a movie or video). Nathalie also suggests things a kid should bring along when going on a plane trip. False expectations might be an issue, but the main value of this show is that it can help take the fear out of flying for a child. An optional purchase for ages 5-11. A better choice here might be the child-narrated The Big Plane Trip (VL-3/95). (E. Swanson)