I NEED SPACE

When rowdy playmates get too rough, a rocket ship goes in search of space.

For the most part, life in outer space is a “BLAST!” for young Rocco. Not everyone is fun to be around, though. “There were the hoggers. The toy-stealers. The line-cutters. The wrong-way-rounders.” (Corby’s chipper art depicts a series of anthropomorphized satellites, rovers, and other technology, along with a few extraterrestrials.) When Rocco reaches his breaking point, he lets out a roar (“I NEED SPACE!!!”), launches himself to the edge of the solar system, and floats until he’s calm enough to return. Space is still a bustling place, but now Rocco knows his limits and sticks to places that make him feel safe. Harris’ clever tale provides children with a practical strategy for dealing with big feelings: finding somewhere calm and quiet to “cool [their] jets and refill [their] tank.” Children will easily draw connections between Rocco’s experiences and their own. Corby’s illustrations keep things light and accessible: Rocco is a round rocket ship, complete with big eyes, orange trim, and a trail of flames; his friend is a darling bespectacled green alien. Their outer space is a beautiful swirl of purple, orange, and pink, while the edge of the solar system, by contrast, is an endless sea of black with streaks of sparkle and stars.

Gentle guidance that young readers will readily gravitate to.