VISUAL THEMES THROUGHOUT

• Erin’s expressions: Nervous excitement → brave → wonder → joy → pride → contentment
• Erin’s backpack – appears in almost every illustration (visual continuity)
• Stuffed bunny – her comfort object, shows up periodically
• The phone – appears when relevant (getting it, checking it, using it)
• Color progression: Warm California sunshine → bright airport energy → cool airplane interior → aerial views (grand and colorful) → Boston arrival (slightly different light) → cozy warm evening

PAGES 3-4: The Invitation

The phone call came on a sunny afternoon in May.

“We want you to come visit us at the beach house this summer!” Granny’s voice sang through the speaker. “We’ll build sandcastles and collect seashells and stay up late watching the stars!”

Erin’s eyes grew wide. A whole summer in Boston with Granny and Grandpa! She could hardly believe it.

But there was one problem. Mom and Dad both had to work all summer. They couldn’t take a vacation.

“I have an idea,” Dad said, kneeling down to look Erin in the eyes. “What if you flew to Boston all by yourself? You’re in first grade now. You’re getting so grown-up.”

Erin’s stomach did a little flip. Fly on an airplane? All by herself? That sounded scary… but also kind of exciting.

Illustration: Split scene or two-panel approach:

• LEFT: Erin sitting on the floor/couch with the phone on speaker between her parents. She’s wide-eyed, excited. Maybe she’s hugging a stuffed animal. Sunny afternoon light through windows.
• RIGHT: Small inset or thought bubble showing Granny and Grandpa’s beach house – white cottage with blue shutters, sandy path leading to the ocean, seagulls in the sky. This is what Erin is imagining.

Color palette: Warm golds and sunny yellows for the LA home, cool blues and sandy beiges for the beach house vision.

PAGES 5-6: Getting Ready

Over the next few weeks, Mom and Dad helped Erin get ready for her big adventure.

They practiced what she would do at the airport. They packed her favorite stuffed bunny in her backpack. They talked about Kenny, the flight attendant who would take care of her the whole way.

The night before the flight, Dad handed Erin a small box.

Inside was a cell phone – her very first one.

“This is for emergencies only,” Mom said seriously. “Keep it safe in your backpack. And when you get to Boston, you’ll give it to Granny and Grandpa. Can you do that?”

Erin nodded, holding the phone carefully in both hands. She felt very grown-up and very responsible.

Illustration: Multiple small vignettes showing preparation OR one larger scene:

• Erin and parents role-playing at home (maybe using chairs as “airplane seats”)
• Dad showing Erin how the phone works
• Close-up of Erin’s hands carefully holding the phone in the box (this could be the focal point)
• Her packed backpack with stuffed bunny peeking out

Mood: Warm, cozy home setting. Evening/night time (since it’s “the night before”). Soft lamp light. Focus on the tender parent-child moments.

PAGES 7-8: At the Airport

The next morning, they woke up before the sun. The airport was big and busy, with people rushing everywhere pulling suitcases.

“I’m hungry,” Erin said, holding tight to Dad’s hand.

“Then let’s have a special breakfast,” Mom said with a smile.

They found a restaurant with shiny red booths. Erin ordered her favorite: a hamburger platter with crispy fries and a vanilla milkshake so thick she had to work hard with her straw.

“This is the best breakfast ever,” she said, licking milkshake from her upper lip.

Mom and Dad smiled at each other. They wanted Erin to remember this day forever.

Illustration: Bustling airport restaurant scene:

• Erin in the red booth with her hamburger platter and thick vanilla milkshake (show the milkshake very prominently – maybe with whipped cream and a cherry!)
• Mom and Dad on either side of her, coffee cups in front of them
• Background: other travelers, airport windows showing planes outside, departure boards
• Erin mid-bite or slurping her shake with pure joy on her face

Details to include: Her backpack on the seat beside her, the busy airport energy but their booth feels like a cozy bubble.

PAGES 9-10: Meeting the Team

At the gate, Mom spoke quietly with a woman at the counter. The woman smiled down at Erin and made some notes on her computer.

Then a tall pilot in a crisp uniform walked over. His smile was warm and kind.

“You must be Erin,” he said. “I’m Captain Williams, and I’m going to be flying the plane today. You’re going to have a wonderful trip, I promise.”

Erin felt a little less nervous.

A moment later, a friendly man with a bright name tag came up to them.

“Hi, Erin! I’m Kenny, and I’m going to be your flight attendant today. I’ll be with you the whole way to Boston. We’re going to take great care of you.”

Kenny had kind eyes and an easy smile. Erin decided she liked him.

Illustration: The gate area:

• FOREGROUND: Captain Williams (Black man, tall, kind smile, pilot uniform with captain’s stripes) crouched or bent down to Erin’s eye level, shaking her hand or giving her a reassuring smile
• MIDDLE: Kenny (Asian American man, flight attendant uniform, warm expression) standing nearby with clipboard or tablet
• BACKGROUND: Mom talking to gate agent, the gate podium, other passengers, windows showing the airplane outside
• Erin looking small but brave between these caring adults

Key: Show the diversity naturally, show the care and professionalism, show Erin feeling safe.

PAGES 11-12: Goodbye & Boarding

It was time to say goodbye.

Mom hugged her tight. “We love you so much. Have the best summer ever.”

Dad’s hug lasted even longer. “Be brave, sweetheart. Call us tonight, okay?”

Erin felt a lump in her throat, but she nodded. Kenny took her hand gently.

“Ready?” he asked.

Together, they walked down the long hallway to the airplane. Erin turned back one last time to wave. Mom and Dad were both waving, big smiles on their faces even though Mom’s eyes looked a little wet.

On the plane, Kenny showed Erin to her seat – right by the window!

The chair was big and comfortable. There was a screen on the back of the seat in front of her where she could watch movies.

“This is going to be fun,” Erin whispered to herself.

Illustration: Could be a two-part spread:

LEFT PAGE: The goodbye moment:

• Mom hugging Erin tight (maybe Erin’s feet are off the ground)
• Dad waiting his turn, hand on Erin’s shoulder
• Other passengers streaming past in soft focus
• Erin’s face showing mixed emotions – sad to leave but trying to be brave

RIGHT PAGE: Walking to the plane:

• Kenny holding Erin’s hand gently, walking down the jetway
• Erin looking back over her shoulder, waving
• Small figures of Mom and Dad in the distance, waving back
• The airplane visible through jetway windows

Transition: Show the emotional shift from goodbye to adventure beginning.

PAGES 13-14: Takeoff & Flying

The engines roared to life. The plane rolled down the runway, faster and faster, and then – whoosh! – they lifted into the sky.

Erin pressed her nose to the window and watched Los Angeles get smaller and smaller below.

Once they were high in the air, Kenny came by with a tray.

“Would you like something to drink?” he asked.

“Could I have a Coca-Cola?” Erin asked shyly. Mom and Dad usually only let her have soda on special occasions.

“Of course! This is definitely a special occasion.”

Erin sipped her Coca-Cola and scrolled through the movie options. She picked an animated film about a princess and a dragon.

After a while, she reached into her backpack. The phone was still there, safe and sound. She felt proud that she was taking such good care of it.

Illustration: Inside the plane:

• Erin in her window seat (SHOW the window prominently with LA getting smaller below)
• The seat-back screen showing her animated movie
• Kenny handing her the Coca-Cola on a tray (show the full can and a cup with ice)
• Her backpack tucked under the seat in front of her
• Maybe one or two other passengers visible but soft-focus
• Her stuffed bunny buckled in beside her

Mood: Cozy, safe, exciting. The plane interior should feel spacious and comfortable, not cramped. Erin’s face shows wonder and contentment.

PAGES 15-16: The View

Erin must have dozed off during the movie, because when she opened her eyes, Kenny was gently touching her shoulder.

“Look out the window,” he said softly. “You don’t want to miss this.”

Erin looked down and gasped.

Below her was the Grand Canyon – enormous and orange and carved deep into the earth like a giant had dragged their fingers through rock.

“Wow,” she breathed.

As the plane flew on, she sawDeserts and mountains and winding rivers that looked like silver ribbons. She saw tiny towns and long highways and farmland in perfect squares of green and gold.

America was so big! Erin had never imagined how big it really was.

Kenny came back with a snack – pretzels and apple juice. “We’ll be landing in about an hour,” he told her.

Erin’s heart started beating faster. Soon she would see Granny and Grandpa!

Illustration: This should be SPECTACULAR – the visual highlight of the book:

Option A – Full spread landscape:

• Bird’s eye view FROM Erin’s perspective looking down
• Show the patchwork of America: Grand Canyon in oranges and reds, desert in tans, green farmland in geometric squares, silver winding rivers, mountain ranges
• Small inset or corner showing Erin’s face pressed to the window, eyes huge with wonder
• Maybe Kenny pointing something out to her

Option B – Split view:

• LEFT: The view outside (Grand Canyon prominent)
• RIGHT: Erin’s face at the window, Kenny beside her, both looking down

Key: This should feel HUGE and awe-inspiring. Kids need to feel how big America is, how amazing the view is.

PAGES 17-18: Landing in Boston

The plane tilted downward. The captain’s voice came over the speaker.

“Flight attendants, prepare for landing.”

Erin looked out the window and saw buildings and highways getting closer. Her ears popped as the plane descended.

Then – bump! – the wheels touched the runway. They were down!

Erin gathered her backpack, making sure the phone was zipped safely inside. Kenny walked her off the plane, down a long hallway, and through a special door marked “Unaccompanied Minors.”

“Are you ready?” Kenny asked, squeezing her hand.

Erin nodded, suddenly feeling shy.

Kenny pushed open the door.

Illustration: Two moments:

LEFT PAGE: Landing approach:

• View from inside looking out window: Boston buildings, harbor, runways approaching
• Erin’s hands gripping the armrests (excited, not scared)
• Other passengers preparing to land

RIGHT PAGE: Walking through the airport:

• Kenny holding Erin’s hand, walking down the concourse
• Her backpack on her back
• Signs overhead: “Baggage Claim,” “Ground Transportation,” “Arrivals”
• The special door marked “Unaccompanied Minors” ahead
• Erin’s face showing anticipation – almost there!

PAGES 19-20: Reunion!

There they were!

Granny and Grandpa were standing right by the door, holding a huge sign decorated with flowers and glitter that said: WELCOME ERIN!

“There’s our girl!” Grandpa shouted.

Erin ran to them. Granny scooped her up in a hug that smelled like perfume and cookies. Grandpa wrapped his arms around both of them.

“You made it!” Granny said, her eyes shiny with happy tears. “You flew all the way across the country, all by yourself! We’re so proud of you!”

Kenny waved goodbye. “Have a wonderful summer, Erin!”

“Thank you, Kenny!” Erin called back.

Hand in hand in hand, the three of them walked toward the exit, talking and laughing all at once.

Illustration: THE BIG EMOTIONAL MOMENT – make this LARGE and joyful:

• Granny and Grandpa (Irish American features, warm clothing, Grandpa maybe in a cardigan or cap, Granny with silver hair) holding their big “WELCOME ERIN!” sign (show the glitter and flowers!)
• Erin RUNNING toward them or mid-hug (maybe her feet are off the ground as Granny lifts her)
• Their faces full of pure joy and relief
• Kenny in the background, waving, smiling (his job complete)
• Other families reuniting in soft focus background
• Arrival area: baggage carousels, other travelers, welcome signs

Mood: PURE JOY. This is the emotional payoff. Big smiles, warm colors, movement, love.

PAGES 21-22: That Night

That evening, Granny made Erin’s favorite dinner – spaghetti with lots of parmesan cheese. They ate at the big wooden table that looked out toward the ocean.

“Time to call your parents,” Grandpa said when the dishes were cleared.

Erin carefully pulled out her phone – the one she’d kept safe the whole trip.

She dialed the number all by herself. When Mom answered, Erin could hear the smile in her voice.

“I made it!” Erin said. “I saw the Grand Canyon from the sky, and Kenny gave me Coca-Cola, and Captain Williams was so nice, and I didn’t lose my phone, and–”

She told them everything, the words tumbling out in a happy rush.

When she finally said goodbye, Granny kissed the top of her head.

“You were so brave today,” she said.

Erin smiled. She had been brave. And now she had a whole summer of adventures ahead.

Through the window, she could hear the ocean waves and smell the salty air.

Tomorrow, she and Granny and Grandpa would go to the beach.

But tonight, she was exactly where she wanted to be.

Illustration: Cozy evening scene at the beach house:

• The three of them at the wooden dining table by a window
• Outside the window: twilight sky, ocean visible, maybe a lighthouse in the distance
• Empty spaghetti plates, parmesan shaker
• Erin holding HER phone to her ear, smiling huge
• Granny and Grandpa watching her with tender expressions
• Warm lamplight inside
• Maybe her stuffed bunny on a chair nearby
• Small details: seashells on windowsill, beach house decor

Final touch: Maybe a small closing image at the bottom – Erin’s backpack by the door, beach toys waiting for tomorrow, the ocean waves visible through the window.

Mood: Safe, warm, loved, HOME. The adventure is complete, summer is beginning.

THE END

Erin’s Exceptional Airplane Adventure (Feb. 5, 2025)