Two new books seek to inspire girls in aviation

‘Women of Adventure: Being Brave in a Big World’

A little bit of inspiration can go a long way. Garmin International Inc. recently announced a new offering—children’s books. Women of Adventure: Being Brave in a Big World, which features six stories from the Garmin Women of Adventure YouTube series, highlights “strong, fearless, curious, selfless and brave women who have overcome great obstacles, accomplished amazing feats and simply aren’t bound by convention.”

“Women of Adventure: Being Brave in a Big World brings parents and children together to spark conversations about trying new things, dreaming big and believing in themselves,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin president and CEO. “As the proud father of a courageous daughter of my own, my wish is that these stories of resilience, perseverance, and strength will motivate the kids of today to become women of adventure tomorrow.”

Children will learn about the women, their childhoods, and “what influenced them to pursue their passions.” Children also will be introduced to “maps and wayfinding, rocks and geology, heights and flight and more” through an Explore page and “discover the science behind how things work, the tools required for each adventure, and various facts and figures pertinent to each discipline,” said a Garmin press release.

“Representing a diversity of ages, body types, activities, and ethnicities, the book demonstrates inclusivity in the outdoors and teaches kids that no matter what they look like and regardless of experience or expertise, they can do whatever they set their mind to,” said Rebecca Sommers, author and Garmin associate creative director. “As a mother of three, it was important to me to share these stories of resilient women and exemplary role models who stand up for what they believe in and follow their heart.”

The book can be purchased for $14.99. Garmin is encouraging readers to share a photo of a little explorer on social media with #WOAbook.

‘Hardly Easy’

Kimberley Jochl, a pilot and author of the earlier publications, The Aviatrix: Fly Like a Girl and Fly Baby: The Story of an American Girl, has released a novel for young adults that aims to inspire and motivate a younger generation of future pilots. The book shares the story of a young and aspiring pilot, Charlotte “Charlie” Henson, who at age 12 is taken for her first flight by her uncle on her birthday. From that day forward, Charlie aspires to get back in the sky on her own and devotes her future to becoming a U.S. Navy pilot.

Released in January 2021, the novel has garnered positive feedback from many notable aviation pioneers, including Patricia Anne Denkler, a former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander and the first woman to land a jet on an aircraft carrier. “Kimberley Jochl inspires the unsuspecting reader through her unique gift of storytelling. In Hardly Easy you find yourself realizing that fear can be a marvelous tool for learning,” Denkler said. The book has also been incorporated into a creative writing class at New Dimensions Charter School in Morganton, North Carolina. Teacher Cara Shelton shared the book with her students and encouraged them to use it as “inspiration and motivation” for creative writing, shared Jochl.

On Jochl’s self-titled website, she describes the book as a “story about inspiring and empowering teenagers to follow their dreams, especially when stepping outside their comfort zone might feel like stepping off a cliff.”

Another reader, Jacque Boyd, a 2020 recipient of The Ninety-Nines Award of Achievement for Contributions to Aviation, shares that it “is officially one of my favorite books.”

To read more about the author and purchase any of Jochl’s books, visit the website.