Review Detail

THE SPACEMAN is a cute and intriguing picture book that looks at Earth from another perspective. A small Spaceman arrives on a planet, where he is collecting the usual samples. However, things go awry when his spaceship is taken by a feathered creature. As he follows after it, he notices stunning things that make this planet unique. After he makes a new friend, he finds his spaceship, but he decides that he would rather stay than keep traveling on.

What I loved: This is a joyous story of new discovery and appreciating the beauty in our planet. The writing style is unique, told from the story of an alien who has landed on Earth. His small size gives new perspective as he enjoys flowers, bugs, and even a pond. Ultimately, he finds joy and belonging, feelings that will resonate with young elementary school aged readers.

The story is easy to follow and creates a small disconnect between the text and the images, as children will recognize the animals and things he does not yet know. This invites children to explore on their own and think about the things they see everyday in a new way. The writing is approachable and the length great for older picture book readers who will also appreciate the humor in the things the Spaceman does not yet know and the way the story concludes. The illustrations capture the story well and tell the story alongside the text.

Final verdict: THE SPACEMAN is a creative and intriguing picture book that invites children to see the world around them with new eyes and celebrate the little things.