Enticing glimpses of near-future return to space exploration.
An invitation to catch the next wave of crewed moon landings.
Not linked to any specific space program but bearing a close resemblance to NASA’s upcoming Artemis initiative, this account of a fictional space flight dubs readers “mission specialists” and sends them—accompanied by a racially diverse crew—on an ice-finding expedition to Shackleton Crater near the Moon’s south pole. Along with providing once-overs of the 11-layer spacesuits, massive booster rockets, reusable lander, and other major gear, the presentation goes into unusual detail about more personal items and experiences—from the prelaunch enema and surprisingly varied meal choices to step-by-step instructions for using a space toilet for “Number Ones” and “Number Twos.” In contrast, Woo’s human figures are generic rather than individualized, and she takes a pass on depicting finer details of equipment, control boards (and alimentary functions). Still, from her neatly drawn illustrations, prospective astronauts will come away with a good sense of how such an expedition will be equipped and how it would run from liftoff to splashdown. A diagram of lunar phases accompanies maps of the moon’s near and far sides at the end.
Enticing glimpses of near-future return to space exploration. (glossary, index) (Informational picture book. 7-10)Pub Date: June 2, 2026
ISBN: 9780500653814
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Review Posted Online: Feb. 16, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
Friends of these pollinators will be best served elsewhere.
This book is buzzing with trivia.
Follow a swarm of bees as they leave a beekeeper’s apiary in search of a new home. As the scout bees traverse the fields, readers are provided with a potpourri of facts and statements about bees. The information is scattered—much like the scout bees—and as a result, both the nominal plot and informational content are tissue-thin. There are some interesting facts throughout the book, but many pieces of trivia are too, well trivial, to prove useful. For example, as the bees travel, readers learn that “onion flowers are round and fluffy” and “fennel is a plant that is used in cooking.” Other facts are oversimplified and as a result are not accurate. For example, monofloral honey is defined as “made by bees who visit just one kind of flower” with no acknowledgment of the fact that bees may range widely, and swarm activity is described as a springtime event, when it can also occur in summer and early fall. The information in the book, such as species identification and measurement units, is directed toward British readers. The flat, thin-lined artwork does little to enhance the story, but an “I spy” game challenging readers to find a specific bee throughout is amusing.
Friends of these pollinators will be best served elsewhere. (Informational picture book. 8-10)Pub Date: May 18, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-500-65265-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An in-depth and visually pleasing look at one of the most fundamental forces in the universe.
An introduction to gravity.
The book opens with the most iconic demonstration of gravity, an apple falling. Throughout, Herz tackles both huge concepts—how gravity compresses atoms to form stars and how black holes pull all kinds of matter toward them—and more concrete ones: how gravity allows you to jump up and then come back down to the ground. Gravity narrates in spare yet lyrical verse, explaining how it creates planets and compresses atoms and comparing itself to a hug. “My embrace is tight enough that you don’t float like a balloon, but loose enough that you can run and leap and play.” Gravity personifies itself at times: “I am stubborn—the bigger things are, the harder I pull.” Beautiful illustrations depict swirling planets and black holes alongside racially diverse children playing, running, and jumping, all thanks to gravity. Thorough backmatter discusses how Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity and explains Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. While at times Herz’s explanations may be a bit too technical for some readers, burgeoning scientists will be drawn in.
An in-depth and visually pleasing look at one of the most fundamental forces in the universe. (Informational picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: April 15, 2024
ISBN: 9781668936849
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tilbury House
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2024
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