A King Seen from the Sky

PreS-Gr 2—Translated from French, this book is inspired by the true account of the first flight of animals in a hot air balloon created by the Montgolfier brothers of France in 1783. Set at the Palace of Versailles, the story tells of the three farm animals who were sent into the sky as a demonstration for King Louis XVI. After the successful and miraculous flight, the animals are celebrated at court. Unfortunately for the heroes, when the vain king asks them what he looks like from such lofty heights, the reply is "Oh, Sire, you looked no larger than the nose of a rat—or even smaller, the eye of a mouse. Or maybe you were the size of a tiny snail!" So, the animals are sent off to the Bastille. Luckily, the revolution is at hand, and our animals friends are liberated, joining up with the revolution. The story ends with the three friends creating a patriotic airship of their own and sailing it over the independence day celebration in Paris. Vive la Révolution!