Review by Booklist Review
For 10 years, Commander Julia and the crew of Mission Star Drifter have been exploring the far reaches of the solar system, hoping to find signs of life; 10 years of being crammed in a spaceship with the same people (plus one dog) and all their annoying habits. Julia decides the next planet they explore will be their last. The grumpy crew piles onto the mountainous, salmon-colored terrain and begins collecting samples and recording data, while only the dog takes note of a little yellow fellow regarding the busy humans. The dreamy watercolor scenes, awash in whimsical details and confectionary colors, employ cutaways that reveal subterranean caverns filled with crystals and mushrooms and a whole colony of the plump yellow creatures, who invite the Star Drifter team below ground to explore. Curiosity and wonder quickly dispel the crew's prior despair, and Julia observes that the space creatures seem to do things "simply for the joy of it." A gentle adventure and sparkling reminder to appreciate life in each moment, wherever you happen to be.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--5--The truth is out there. The brave Captain Julia sets off with a space crew to discover if humans are alone in the universe. Each gorgeous picture captures a precise scene. Giant expanses of starry night show the vastness of the universe. But Savage's illustrations stunningly zoom into minute details, expressive faces showing frustration or strife as the crew visits one last planet. The wonderful otherworldly space created on each page shows the depths of imagination. The story is interesting, sure to keep reader's interest, but it's the lovely details of this world that make the book one to return to over and over again. VERDICT This space mission is lush with detail, each extraterrestrial and rocket room creating an immersive world.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Savage's exquisitely illustrated speculative sci-fi picture book shifts focus from the Arctic Ocean in her previous work (The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish, rev. 5/23) to deep space, depicting a group of Earth scientists hoping to "answer the greatest question of our universe: Are we alone?" Already ten years into their journey, the dejected Star Drifter crew have yet to discover any signs of life. After agreeing to "try one last planet," they land in yet another seemingly lifeless landscape; however, comical glimpses of extraterrestrial life are revealed to the reader and the crew's lovable dog, Khan. The omniscient narration humorously clashes with what is shown on the page -- particularly during a scene where Khan is showered with attention and gifts by bright-yellow creatures as the oblivious crew packs up their gear. Eventually, contact is made, and interspecies attempts to communicate, share culture, and explore the others' homes result in the astronauts' deep admiration for the space creatures' happy existence. Savage's fluid ink and watercolor depictions of swirling celestial bodies in vibrant green, purple, black, and pink are arresting and atmospheric. Creative bio-tech designs, detailed spacecraft crosscuts, and imaginative extraterrestrial flora and fauna warrant careful inspection. An inventive, aspirational, and (perhaps overly) optimistic projection of futuristic space exploration and cosmic connections. Patrick GallNovember/December 2025 p.56 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A space mission has a surprising outcome. The title page of this delightful English import portrays a familiar scene: the ground crew clustered around their screens at the launch of a new space expedition. But Savage--creator of two previous tongue-in-cheek ocean searches, beginning withThe Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish (2023)--offers an artful twist as she sends her explorers into space. Headed by pale-skinned Commander Julia, the bored and homesick crew ofMission Star Drifter have been searching for life in the universe for 10 long years before finally landing on what seems to be yet another deserted planet. As the crew fan out after their landing to explore, creatures living underground are fully aware of the earthlings' presence and track their movements, making first contact with the ship's dog, Khan. There's such joy in this world that the crew decides to stay. As in previous titles, Savage's graceful ink-and-watercolor illustrations, with their delicate washes of color, are filled with enchanting details, like the lightly anthropomorphized spaceship, which appears by turn nervous and, by book's end, content. Savage's witty text often contrasts with her images as readers realize that this "desolate wasteland" is anything but--a rather sophisticated commentary on the dangers of making assumptions. TheMission Star Drifter is helmed by a woman and staffed by a diverse crew, sending a subtle yet potent message that science and space exploration are for everyone. Clever, funny, and worth discussing.(Picture book. 4-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
