3 Reasons Why You Should Read Soaring with the Sugarbird Lady by Dianne Wolfer

What’s the book about?

Imagine flying solo, crisscrossing the north-west of Australia in your own plane, and single-handedly delivering life-saving vaccines to remote communities.

Robin Miller did this, and at a time when most people didn’t think women should be pilots at all. Her arrival seemed like magic to the outback children who received her polio vaccine on sugar cubes. Before long, she became known as the Sugarbird Lady. And this was just the start of Robin’s extraordinary real-life adventures!

Recommended for: 

Ages 9+

Three reasons to read it: 

1. Robin Miller isn’t just any pilot: she’s a hero! Back in the day, people didn’t think women should be pilots, but Robin proved them wrong! Her bravery and determination make her a real-life superhero who changed the world. If you’ve ever wanted to do something amazing or show the world what you’re capable of, Robin’s story will encourage you to go for it!
2. The book takes you to the wild, beautiful outback of Australia, where Robin has to navigate deserts, storms and even crocodiles! It’s a place so different from anywhere you’ve been, and you’ll love exploring it through Robin’s eyes. With every flight, Robin faces unpredictable weather, harsh conditions and sometimes she has to make quick decisions to survive. It’s like reading about the ultimate flying adventure, where Robin learns not only how to navigate the sky but also how to deal with the challenges of the rugged terrain below.
3. Robin became known as the “Sugarbird Lady,” and the reason is so heartwarming and unique! She delivered life-saving polio vaccines to children, but the vaccines weren’t given with needles, they were given in tiny sugar cubes. Kids were amazed and excited when Robin arrived, because they didn’t have to be scared of a needle. It felt like magic!

Buy a copy of Soaring with the Sugarbird Lady here.

About the author:

Dianne Wolfer is an award-winning author. Her WWI Light series served as the inspiration for Theatre 180’s CineStage production The Lighthouse Girl Saga and PIAF’s The Giants. Dianne writes across genres, and her books have been translated into several languages. Her picture book, Photographs in the Mud (set along the Kokoda Track), has been used as an international peace reference and was published in Japanese.