Review by Booklist Review
A simply told tale for the youngest astronauts, this follows an unnamed child of African descent as he chases away bad-weather boredom by constructing a homemade spaceship to travel to another galaxy. The overtly simple, rhyming text guides the reader through this endeavor as he repurposes household items with the help of his mother, father, and ingenuity. The bold and brightly colored illustrations by Palmer (Mama Africa!, 2017) are the true stars here--the acrylic on watercolor-paper renderings of the boy's imaginings perfectly blend with the depictions of his everyday surroundings. The broad paint strokes manage to convey a definitive sense of place, from the living room to Dad's workshop. Palmer's art communicates emotion, too, as the concentration on the boy's face while he cobbles together his spacecraft using a box and miscellaneous socks is easily discernible. While faltering rhymes will make this story a bit harder to share out loud with younger readers, the gorgeous artwork should hold their interest until the story ends.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Bright, full-bleed paintings by Palmer (I Can Write the World) power this tale by Sheppard (What Is Light?) about low-tech play. Bold strokes portray a black child gazing out the window, hand absentmindedly on the head of his comedic sidekick, a small pug. Loosely rhyming verse explains the book's dilemma: rainy weather, inside play, nothing to do, then a light bulb and growing excitement: "Today I'll make something/ really tough--// Like a whole new world/ in a different place--/a galaxy off in/ outer space!" A rocking chair and a cardboard box, tools from Dad (who, with his well-equipped workshop, offers thoughtful help), swimming trunks and goggles for a spacesuit, and a dish towel for a flag all make a promising rocket trip: "These will surely/ serve me well./ On this mission,/ I cannot fail." The child's parents show up for the big launch. Loose, chiming lines supply the framework for Palmer's dynamic brushwork, which creates mass and motion while also lingering, on a more contemplative note, on the light that falls over the child's face. Sheppard's emphasis is on making--and on making do with what's at hand--creative play that is nurtured by supportive parents (and one amusing, licking dog). Ages 4--8. (May)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--Boredom is the mother of invention in this playful story. Using rhyming and near-rhyming text, Sheppard tells the story of a young boy who plans an imaginary voyage to outer space. His fond parents come to cheer on the launch, and then it's off to bed for the little one. The verse brims with childlike enthusiasm. A piece of stereotyping is the one misstep; the child borrows "tools from Dad" and "Mom's old dishrag," as if housework is exclusively the mother's domain. Thick expressionist lines and swirls in Palmer's illustrations create a lively effect, particularly in images of the boy, who has dark skin, and his family. VERDICT A fun choice for bedtime or library storytime, marred by a moment of unfortunate gender stereotyping.--Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Painterly oils accompany rhyming verse to describe one imaginative child's rainy-day adventure. A child and the family dog are stuck inside on a wet day and must find alternative ways to entertain themselves. Tried-and-true toys like cars, teddy bears, and balls are fun for a time, but after a while, the youth must find something with a bit more heft. Reaching into the farthest corners of the imagination, the child conjures "a whole new world / in a different place-- / a galaxy off in / outer space!" Scanning the room, the child identifies a rocking chair as the perfect rocket ship. To create the launching pad, the child borrows some of Dad's tools and a cardboard box full of socks. For a cool spacesuit, the child finds some patterned yellow swim trunks and goggles. For a flag, the child uses "Mom's old dishrag." With some additional help from Mom and Dad, the launch is an incredible success. An old broom provides thrust down the hall. The child lands perfectly in bed and prepares for a "safe arrival" in the "Land of ZZZZZZs." The illustrations love this black family, highlighting the glow of their skin and luxuriating in the narrator's abundant, textured curls. The lavish application of paint--broader than in most picture books--means this will show especially well in a group setting. Rhythmic storytelling and gorgeous illustrations make this a delight. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
