  | Rocket ship, solo trip Author: Colombi, Chiara | |
| Price: $23.78 | ||
Summary:
Rocket is embarking on her first solo mission. Her goal? Place a satellite into orbit to take pictures of the beautiful unknown. With a few words of encouragement from Ground Control, Rocket sparks ignition and blasts off to discover all the beauty of outer space. But when it's time for reentry, she wonders if she can do it alone. Rocket returns home at hypersonic speed and excited for her future experiments ... maybe next time, to the moon.
| Illustrator: | Magoon, Scott |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (02/01/24)
School Library Journal (+) (06/21/24)
Booklist (04/01/24)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 06/21/2024 PreS-Gr 1—The story is fictional: Rocket Ship is just a little jittery about her first time on the launchpad, launch, going into space—everything. It's overwhelming, but an omniscient narration reminds her to "use the countdown as your cue./ You'll see. You'll know just what to do." And it's true. Rocket Ship performs her duty to get her payload, a new satellite, into space where it will take pictures of Earth below. Facts are slipped into the story of Rocket Ship's successes, one by one, to give young children a very good idea of how to launch and set up a satellite for use: "Step three: her top hatch opens wide./ It's Rocket's turn to be the guide./ Station lends a helping hand/ Just like boosters did on land." The storytelling is effective, amplified by Magoon's simple shapes and easy-to-guess facial expressions, but detailed enough to provide a rudimentary sense of how a satellite works. A generous amount of information is dispensed in accessible terms and accompanied by friendly scenes that parallel an elementary age student's first solo project. VERDICT Wondrous—a book that says, "You've got this," seamlessly stirred into a STEM title.—Kimberly Olson Fakih - Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 04/01/2024 Tasked with transporting a satellite into orbit, a little rocket gears up for her big maiden solo voyage. Space is a long way from home, and the googly eyed, red-striped aerospace ship is understandably worried about hurtling headfirst into the unknown. Ground Control offers calming, grounding advice: “Find one small step to lead the way. / Use the countdown as your cue. / You’ll see. You’ll know just what to do.” Launch Pad holds Rocket tight in a supportive hug until blast off. Debut author Colombi’s energetic rhyming verse propels the action. Magoon’s digital cartoon illustrations capture the movement and momentum of the exciting journey. Varied perspectives are presented, including a satellite camera’s view of the northern lights. Rocket’s relatable range of emotions can be read on her anthropomorphized face, from eyebrows furrowed in apprehension before takeoff to a glow of serene satisfaction when her mission is accomplished. With guidance and encouragement, Rocket bravely leaps to greater heights by taking small steps. This debut picture book encourages young readers to follow Rocket’s lead and soar. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
