A TRIP INTO SPACE

The youngest space enthusiasts get a look at life aboard the International Space Station in Houran’s latest.

From the rocket’s launch, which propels the astronauts to “work,” to their bedding down at night, this book looks at a few of the more well-known activities that astronauts on the International Space Station are engaged in: eating, space walking, making repairs to the ISS and zipping into sleeping bags. Neither the narrative nor the digital-looking illustrations go into much depth; the latter provide the barest minimum of detail (and some at NASA may cringe to see laptops floating in the space station, tethered only by their power cords). Still, the short text will certainly keep readers’ attention and even provides an opportunity for participation, as each section ends with “in space.” “Looking at Earth… // While Earth looks at you… / A blip out in space” and “Taking a walk / Without any ground! / Flipping in space.” The final spread features a paragraph of further information about each of the activities. These use more specific vocabulary and explain things in greater depth than the simple text while keeping them accessible for adults working with children.

A good introduction to the International Space Station for very young children just beginning to look beyond the stratosphere.