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

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