The Space Walk

July 1, 2019
What better way to meet a new friend than taking a walk outside--even in space? In a strangely familiar exchange, astronaut Randolph Witherspoon whines that he's bored, and Ground Control grants permission for a stroll outside--as soon as he has lunch and cleans up his capsule. One warning: "Don't talk to strangers!" A packet of mashed Brussels sprouts and a bit of housekeeping later, Randolph is out the hatch, floating in space that Biggs has festooned with swirly, polka-dot planets in party colors, and snapping pictures of various astro-wonders. When one of these last (looking like a tin can trailing a cluster of mechanical arms) displays a googly eye, it takes but a few big, wordless panels before astronaut and ET are happily orbiting each other, taking selfies together, and finally exchanging goodbye hugs. "Spacewalk complete!" Randolph informs Ground Control, asking if he can go out again later. "We'll see in the morning." It will not be lost on children that while Randolph may not actively talk to his unexpected companion, he does not seem to be observing the letter of Ground Control's law. The porousness of this aspect of the narrative should lead to some interesting conversations between listeners and caregivers. An effervescent outing with a refreshingly (or, in some quarters, distressingly) subversive message. (Picture book. 5-8)

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July 29, 2019
A selfie is worth a thousand words in this tribute to the exhilaration of getting outside and making new friends by Biggs (What Kind of Car Does a T. Rex Drive?). It’s boring as all get-out in the space ship, but not-so-vaguely parental Ground Control won’t let astronaut Randolph Witherspoon take a spacewalk until he eats lunch (brussels sprouts in a pouch), exercises and tidies, and receives a barrage of rules (“Dress warmly, don’t forget your camera, and... don’t talk to strangers”). Sound familiar? Outside the ship, there’s much to photograph, and as the story goes wordless, Randolph meets an alien who’s as much into goofy selfies as he is. (Their space-wear also shares the same chunky, adorable dome shape.) Randolph never technically “talks” to this alien stranger, but the photographs they take together help him look forward to a less lonely tomorrow. Biggs’s digital pictures juxtapose the brightly lit, dully safe capsule, festooned with gizmos, dials, and screens, against the marvels of space. The landscape offers not just a new friend but also an intergalactic portrait filled with fluorescent planets of many stripes—and a few polka dots, too. Ages 3–7. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

October 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 1-While working in space, Astronaut Randolph Witherspoon starts to feel bored. A space walk would be just the thing to help get rid of the doldrums. Going out for a walk isn't as easy as one would think. First, he needs to ask permission from Ground Control. Randolph is told that he must eat his lunch, do some exercises, and clean up the spaceship before heading outside. He isn't too happy about this but he does what he is told. Finally, he heads out. Wait! Ground Control reminds him to dress warmly, bring his camera, be home in time for dinner, and not to talk to strangers. It's a small price to pay to go outside for a bit. As he floats in space, Randolph takes pictures of everything he sees. There are colorful planets of different sizes all around and interesting constellations and comets that zoom by him. He also snaps some pictures of a new friend he encounters. Will he listen to Ground Control and not talk to the stranger? Children will enjoy this book. Many will find humor in the fact that an adult must obey the same rules they hear all of the time. The main character has similar facial expressions to a child being told what to do. The colors used in the space station are white and flat. Once the astronaut gets out into space, everything seems to pop. The planets are bright and appealing. The bold colors direct eyes toward the character's surroundings. Even though the middle section does not have any text, there is plenty for children to look at and laugh about. VERDICT A great read-aloud that children will want to hear again and again.-Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2020
Biggs (the Everything Goes books; the Tiny Town series) brings his bright, cheerful illustration style and offbeat humor into outer space. Readers meet astronaut Randolph Witherspoon floating in a cramped space capsule. "'I'm bored and I want to take a walk,' Randolph complained...'Requesting permission to go outside.'" Ground Control's authoritative response, like that of many a parent, is to first list some chores: "Eat some lunch, get some exercise, and clean the place up a bit." With each task accomplished (in a series of entertaining illustrations), Randolph is now free to go. He follows Ground Control's advice to dress warmly and bring his camera--but is already out the door before the familiar reminder (presented in bold face): "Don't talk to strangers!" In space, a new buddy awaits--and none stranger--in the form of an alien who similarly loves selfies. They have a blast playing together until it's time to go back in. "You're late," admonishes Ground Control, but that doesn't kill Randolph's buzz as he types up his nightly report, eats dinner, and gets ready for bed, all with a huge grin on his face. "And he couldn't wait for tomorrow." Readers will relate, as Biggs's digital illustrations (cheekily described in the art note on the copyright page) picture space as a vibrantly colorful wonderland where new friends await and boredom is busted by simply exploring the outdoors.

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2020
Biggs (the Everything Goes books; the Tiny Town series) brings his bright, cheerful illustration style and offbeat humor into outer space. Readers meet astronaut Randolph Witherspoon floating in a cramped space capsule. "�??I'm bored and I want to take a walk, ' Randolph complained�?]�??Requesting permission to go outside.'" Ground Control's authoritative response, like that of many a parent, is to first list some chores: "Eat some lunch, get some exercise, and clean the place up a bit." With each task accomplished (in a series of entertaining illustrations), Randolph is now free to go. He follows Ground Control's advice to dress warmly and bring his camera�? but is already out the door before the familiar reminder (presented in bold face): "Don't talk to strangers!" In space, a new buddy awaits�? and none stranger�? in the form of an alien who similarly loves selfies. They have a blast playing together until it's time to go back in. "You're late, " admonishes Ground Control, but that doesn't kill Randolph's buzz as he types up his nightly report, eats dinner, and gets ready for bed, all with a huge grin on his face. "And he couldn't wait for tomorrow." Readers will relate, as Biggs's digital illustrations (cheekily described in the art note on the copyright page) picture space as a vibrantly colorful wonderland where new friends await and boredom is busted by simply exploring the outdoors. Elissa Gershowitz

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)