A Trip into Space

February 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-This look at life on the International Space Station is simple and cheerful, just right for the youngest of aspiring space travelers. It features unfussy full-bleed illustrations of astronauts loading supplies, taking a space walk, eating, sleeping, etc. The minimal text is clean and clear, but it's pegged to a rhyme that does not always succeed, and there's the less-than-apt and perhaps slightly disturbing description of "whipping through space." Nonetheless, the book is an up-to-date addition to the subject for the targeted age group, thanks to the appealing artwork in fresh colors, plain writing, and solid tidbits of information at the end, which further explain the equipped "blip" known as the International Space Station, where astronauts are shown sipping, flipping, clipped up, and zipped up.-Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2014
The youngest space enthusiasts get a look at life aboard the International Space Station in Houran's latest. From the rocket's launch, which propels the astronauts to "work," to their bedding down at night, this book looks at a few of the more well-known activities that astronauts on the International Space Station are engaged in: eating, space walking, making repairs to the ISS and zipping into sleeping bags. Neither the narrative nor the digital-looking illustrations go into much depth; the latter provide the barest minimum of detail (and some at NASA may cringe to see laptops floating in the space station, tethered only by their power cords). Still, the short text will certainly keep readers' attention and even provides an opportunity for participation, as each section ends with "in space." "Looking at Earth... // While Earth looks at you... / A blip out in space" and "Taking a walk / Without any ground! / Flipping in space." The final spread features a paragraph of further information about each of the activities. These use more specific vocabulary and explain things in greater depth than the simple text while keeping them accessible for adults working with children. A good introduction to the International Space Station for very young children just beginning to look beyond the stratosphere. (Informational picture book. 2-5)

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January 1, 2014
Preschool-G From the writer and illustrator of Dig Those Dinosaurs (2013) comes this appealing book that offers glimpses of life aboard the International Space Station. A rocket blasts off carrying people and supplies to the ISS. Soon the astronauts are floating through the station, unloading their cargo, looking back at Earth, sharing a meal, taking space walks, making repairs, and going to sleep in tethered sleeping bags. A typical double-page spread features short text and a single digital illustration of astronauts in action. Each section of text consists of three short phrases with the last one containing a word in bold with an ip sound, such as Tasting a drink / That may float around / Sipping in space. While the information in the main section of the book is limited, an appended double-page spread provides a paragraph of facts related to the signature phrase on each spread. A good introductory book for young space fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2014
Although scientifically slight, this book adeptly captures some of the key personal experiences of astronauts on the International Space Station, from blastoff to zipping themselves into stationary sleeping bags at bedtime. Understated verse is illustrated with approachable illustrations that reinforce such details as straps to hold down food. Additional information on each rhymed heading ("Whipping through space"; "Flipping in space") is appended.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)