By the time she's two years old, Violet Van Winkle can fix nearly any appliance in the house. And by eight she's building elaborate flying machines from scratch - mind-boggling contraptions such as the Tubbubbler, the Bioycopter, and the Wing-a-ma-jig. The kids at school tease her, but they have no idea what she's capable of. Maybe she could earn their respect by winning the blue ribbon in the upcoming Air Show. Or maybe something even better will happen - something involving her best-ever invention, a Boy Scout troop in peril, and even the mayor himself!

Take one power-waling grandma and mix her with two high-energy fraternal twins, and before long it's hard to tell who's chasing whom. This magical mixture rolls off the pages of cartoonist Steve Breen's first collection of "Grand Avenue" strips. Twins Michael, who wants to be a Shakespearean actor, and Gabby, a billionaire in the making, keep the postman, neighbors, and each other on the run - with Grandma Kate not far behind. Since it's debut in 1999, "Grand Avenue" has captured the hearts and tickled the funny bones of readers in more than 125 newspapers nationwide.

By the time sheas two years old, Violet Van Winkle can fi x nearly any appliance in the house. And by eight sheas building elaborate fl ying machines from scratchamind-boggling contraptions such as the Tubbubbler, the Bicycopter, and the Wing-a-ma-jig. The kids at school tease her, but they have no idea what sheas capable of. Maybe she could earn their respect by winning the blue ribbon in the upcoming Air Show. Or maybe something even better will happenasomething involving her bestever invention, a Boy Scout troop in peril, and even the mayor himself!

A classic underdog story full of humor and sweetness and retro pizzazz, "Violet the Pilot" is both endearing and adorable. Itall fl y right into your heart.