Times were hard during the Soviet blockade of West Berlin. With roads and rail access closed, airplanes were the only way to get food and other supplies into West Berlin. An American pilot, Gail Halvorsen, dropped candy for the children on his daily runs, earning him the nickname the “Chocolate Pilot.” This is the story of the Chocolate Pilot’s gift to a young West Berlin girl named Mercedes that began a lifelong friendship. This sweet story illustrates how kindness toward strangers can have a long-lasting effect. Since it’s a historical story, it should have a long shelf life in libraries. It’s supposed to look old-fashioned! ( )

The "Berlin Candy Bomber," is the nickname given to the U.S. Air Force pilot who responded to letters from local children who requested sweets with their supply drops during WWII. The Berlin Airlift, which supplied much-needed supplies to West Berlin when the Soviet Union was blockading the city, was Halvorsen's delivery route. "The Chocolate Pilot" was such a wonderful man who realized how much he was delivering to a desperate group of people in search of support.

This book was about a little girl named Mercedes, who lived in Berlin and her mother read her a story about a pilot who drops candy to the children. So the little girl writes letters to the pilot, so that he will know where to drop her candy. This could be used to teach about letter writing in the classroom, or to teach about planes and pilots. ( )

This is another book my son and I read together as a background for a school project they are beginning on WWII. It's a true story about an Air Force pilot that dropped candy from his plane to the children in Berlin. It's a pretty short story but it's so heartwarming. Even in just those few pages, it brought tears to my eyes. It reminds you that there are good people in the world. I think everyone should read it once. ( )

This book is a true story about a pilot flying in Berlin, Germany. This story helps children learn how people can make an impact.
preschool-3rd grade
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