Freddie the Flyer

Artfully arranged in a month-by-month format, Freddie Carmichael, the first Indigenous commercial pilot in the Arctic, Member of the Order of Canada and Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame, tells his story in this picture book biography.

On each double-page spread, a short paragraph of information highlights high points in Carmichael’s life and his upward trajectory into his career of choice. A shy young boy in Aklavik, Northwest Territories, Freddie spots a plane flying overhead while out hunting caribou with his family. Dreaming of one day “slicing the sky in a Spitfire”, Freddie works several jobs to earn money and enroll in flying school. Through hard work, talent and determination, Freddie soars.

Writing in third-person narration, Carmichael recounts some of his accomplishments and adventures in the sky, including ferrying “howling and growling” dog teams, rescuing a stranded prospector, and braving fierce blizzards. Always ready to help and serve his community, Carmichael flies a nurse and pregnant woman to the hospital, keeping everyone safe and warm during the premature delivery. Carmichael’s kindness and professionalism leaves a lasting legacy: “The new mom was so grateful, she named her baby Fred!”

Audrea Loreen-Wulf’s realistic, painterly illustrations capture the beauty of the northern landscape throughout the year. Young aviation fans will enjoy spotting the many planes throughout the book, from Freddie’s childhood toy airplane, to a Cessna 170. Animals are also depicted in the picturesque scenes, including muskox, caribou and husky dogs.

Back matter includes a glossary of what the names of each month mean in Gwich’in and Inuvialuktun; more biographical information about Carmichael; and photographs.

Freddie the Flyer is a welcome addition to picture book biography collections.