Basher Basics--Space Exploration

April 1, 2014

Gr 3-6-A breezy tone and ultra-cute illustrations enliven this introduction to space-exploration missions. Two-page spreads per topic, with one page devoted to a brightly colored illustration, provide bite-size chunks of information in a cheeky, first-person voice. Four chapters cover miscellaneous space exploration objects and concepts ("Space Aces"), spacecraft that explore the inner planets ("Sunshine Superstars"), outer planets ("Outer Planetary Mob"), and beyond our solar system ("To Infinity and Beyond"). The lighthearted tone never wavers, even when discussing sad topics, such as the one-way spaceflight of Laika the cosmonaut dog. Round-faced, pink-cheeked line drawings anthropomorphize each topic, from orbit to space tourist to the Mars rover Curiosity. While students will need titles with greater depth and more technical illustrations, such as Carole Stott's Space Exploration (DK, 2009), for reports, this book's charm lies in its upbeat, goofy approach.-Sarah Stone, San Francisco Public Library

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