Faraway Friends

March 30, 2015
Has Sheldon’s best friend really moved away to Jupiter? Sheldon gets the idea when he sees “Jupiter Moving Co.” on the moving van, and he immediately launches an elaborate backyard fantasy based on that assumption. With his dog, Jet, lending support, Sheldon builds a rocket out of a grill, a garbage can, and Jet’s doghouse, and together they take off for the far end of the solar system. Jupiter remains elusive as a destination, but Sheldon makes a discovery that’s far more important than anything extraterrestrial: a new, like-minded neighbor back on Earth. Illustrator Cox (Merry Moosey Christmas), making his first foray into writing, is a steady-as-she-goes kind of storyteller—there’s little in his text that the pictures aren’t already showing, and the relationship between Sheldon and Jet offers few surprises. Still, the story has lots of good-hearted energy (Cox employs comics-style panel sequences to move the action forward briskly), and Sheldon’s go-getter personality generates just enough momentum to provide narrative liftoff. Ages 3–6. Agent: Jodell Sadler, Sadler Children’s Literary.

August 1, 2015

K-Gr 2-Sheldon's friend has just moved to "Jupiter," which means there is only one thing to do...build a rocket to travel there. When he and his expressive dog Jet blast off, their imaginations soar through a boy's dream version of space. Fortunately, their rocket breaks down, bringing them back to reality in time to make a discovery: a new life-form. Cox's combination of full spreads and panels gives him enough room to provide specifics about the ship's construction, this pair's adventure, and their introduction to the new neighbor. Fun illustrations quickly turn the downbeat opener into a full-blown, colorful adventure, with sound effects. For children, anyone not "here," might as well be on another planet; the moving trucks are a visual manifestation of this fear. Instead of optimistically proclaiming "of course you'll remain in touch," Cox delivers a more honest answer; you may not. VERDICT This engaging picture book explains that sometimes friends leave but there is always a new one around the corner.-Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ontario, Canada

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