Dreams Take Flight: The Story of Deaf Pilot Nellie Zabel Willhite

Ages 7 to 8, Grades 1 to 4

In 1928, Nellie Zabel Willhite became the first female pilot in South Dakota—and the first deaf pilot in the nation. Told from the perspective of an author with hearing loss, this story is supported by Easterseals.

Nellie Zabel Willhite's story dips and soars like an airplane in flight.After losing her hearing at four and following a tumultuous education, Nellie Zabel was introduced to the world of flight while working at the Sioux Falls airport. The planes and pilots captured her imagination as she watched them sail alongside the birds. With some encouragement, she enrolled in pilot training--carefully tailoring the courses to accommodate her deafness. In 1928, she took off on her own, becoming the first female pilot in South Dakota--and the first deaf pilot in the nation.This Own Voices, Own Stories Award winning book tells Nellie's story from the perspective of an author with a hearing loss and is supported by Easterseals.

About the Author

Brittany Richman is cofounder of The American Moms blog and has been partially deaf since

childhood. She lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Alisha Monnin was born and raised in rural Ohio in a small village where distance is

measured by cornfields. She now resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her cat named Beignet.