Picture Book – Page 10 – Sneak Peek Books

Mousetronaut Goes to Mars

Meteor has been training to go to Mars on the Galaxy Rocket. He’s just a little mouse, but he has studied, exercised, and prepared just like the human astronauts. He is ready to fly thirty-five million miles away from Earth. However, when the names are called, Meteor isn’t on the list.

Determined to go to the red planet, Meteor stows away on the ship. Throughout the trip, he plans to stay hidden. But when there is an unexpected mission malfunction, can Meteor save the day?

Meteor is a small, but mighty mouse that will inspire readers to learn more about space. Author and astronaut, Mark Kelly incorporates space facts into the story. The facts are integrated well and never feel like a science lesson. The plot is fast-paced, action-packed, and at times humorous.

Fun, full-colored illustrations capture the many expressions of Meteor. Besides being adorably cute, the illustrations show the hard work and dedication of astronauts. The astronauts and other NASA workers include both men and women of different races. Both the story and illustrations will captivate younger readers until the very end. At the end of the story, the author gives information about the space program, Mars, and other interesting facts.

Even though Mousetronaut Goes to Mars is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for a child to read it for the first time independently. Most pages contain 2-4 sentences, which makes the story a quick read and an excellent bedtime story. Younger readers will want to read Mousetronaut Goes to Mars over and over again because of the inspiring message that even small people (or mice) can make a big difference. Readers will fall in love with Meteor, who will inspire them to have big dreams.

If your little reader enjoys reading about space, Mars Needs Moms would be another excellent book to add to your child’s reading list.

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Mousetronaut

A group of astronauts and a group of mice have all been working hard to prepare for a space mission. Since he is the smallest mouse, Meteor doesn’t think he’ll be chosen to go on the mission, but the shuttle commander has noticed Meteor’s hard work and chooses him to go. Meteor is one of six mice to lift off into space. When the astronauts have a problem, can Meteor help save the day?

Younger readers will love the story of a little mouse. The story reinforces the idea that hard work pays off. The astronauts recognize Meteor’s hard work and positive attitude. In the end, the smallest mouse is able to save the day. Throughout the story, readers will learn about life on a space shuttle.

The realistic colored illustrations show the day-to-day life of an astronaut. Meteor’s facial expressions are adorable and will help readers recognize emotion. The illustrations also show a diverse group of people. Two of the astronauts are Caucasian, one is Asian, and one is a woman. There are several group scenes where characters of different races are included.

Even though Mousetronaut is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for a child to read it for the first time independently. Most pages contain 2-4 sentences, which makes the story a quick read and an excellent bedtime story. The story will inspire readers to learn more about space. The second story in the series Mousetronaut Goes to Mars is even better than the first book. Astronauts + space + a little mouse = an out-of-this-world story.

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Mars Needs Moms

Milo isn’t sure that mothers are special. His mother makes him eat broccoli and take out the trash. After Milo gets sent to bed without dinner, he yells at his mother. That night, Martian raiders kidnap his mother. He’s not sure why, but he chases after her. Will Milo be able to save his mother from the Martians? Will he learn what’s so special about mothers?

Mars Needs Moms is a beautiful story about a mother’s love for her son. The fast-paced plot focuses on Milo and his mother’s relationship. Younger children will relate to Milo, who just does not understand his mother.

The full-page pictures are beautiful and humorous. In the beginning, when Milo is upset with his mother, the illustrations portray her as unfriendly. For example, when Milo thinks mothers are “giant, summer-stealing, child-working, perfume garden goblins,” the illustration shows his mother clad in an overly large hat that hides her face, and she is holding garden tools.

Even though Mars Needs Moms is a picture book, the story is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. The alliterations and descriptions make the story fun to read aloud. Since there is little text on each page, the story is a quick read making it an excellent bedtime story.

Younger readers will want to read Mars Needs Moms over and over not only because it is an excellent story, but also because the fun illustrations do a wonderful job of bringing Milo’s struggle to life. The Martians trying to kidnap a mother are adorably funny, and the conclusion explains why moms are “the most marvelous treasure.” Mars Needs Moms blends illustrations and text into a beautiful story that shows the importance of mothers. If your little reader enjoys reading about space, Mousetronaut Goes to Mars would be another excellent book to add to your child’s reading list.

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Milo’s mother is kidnapped by Martians. Milo “peeked around the door to see his mother being carried past the bathroom by three Martians the color of jelly beans.”

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Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist

Most people think sharks are scary monsters. But when Eugenie saw a shark, she thought they were beautiful. She dreamed of growing up and studying sharks. She wanted to show others how amazing sharks are. Discover how Eugenie became known as the Shark Lady.

Shark Lady follows Eugenie’s progress from a small child dreaming of sharks to a grown woman who made fantastic discoveries. Each page contains beautifully colored illustrations that bring the underwater world of sharks to life. Several of the pages have pictures of fish, with both their scientific name and their common name.

Even though some people believed Eugenie should be a secretary or a housewife, Eugenie never gave up on her dream. The story does not overlook the years of study and the hard work that Eugenie put into getting an education before she “finally dove into the open ocean.” Through Eugenie’s life experiences, readers will learn that “we must never let the world tell us what we can and can’t do. It especially can’t tell us how brave we will choose to be.”

At the conclusion of the story, there are fun facts about sharks and an illustrated timeline of Eugenie Clark’s life. The picture book Shark Lady will appeal to any reader who wants to learn about sea life. The many illustrations and short sentences make Shark Lady the perfect book to read aloud. The positive, true-life story of Eugenie will inspire children to never give up on their dreams.

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Ada Twist, Scientist

Ada Twist loves asking questions. Her curiosity is never satisfied. When she tries to figure out just what is causing the stinking smell, Ada takes her fact-finding a little too far. Her parents are frustrated and frazzled, so they send Ada to the thinking chair. Can Ada figure out how to complete her scientific experiment without causing chaos?

Ada Twist uses rhyme, questions, and scientific vocabulary to show that questioning and curiosity are part of the scientific process. Ada loves asking questions. Why? What? How? When? As Ada tries to figure out the world around her, Ada’s parents try to figure out how to best deal with her inquisitive spirit. The story ends with Ada using her curiosity in an appropriate way instead of writing her hypotheses on the walls.

Short text and large illustrations appear on every page, which makes Ada Twist, Scientist an excellent choice for beginning readers. The adorable full-color illustration brings the action to life as well as shows an African-American family in a positive light. The parents wear professional clothing, Ada’s brother appears in sports apparel, and Ada wears a cute dress. Readers will also enjoy finding the picture of the family’s cat that appears on most of the pages.

Ada Twist, Scientist uses a creative and entertaining story to teach the fun of the scientific process and the importance of questioning skills. The two-parent family is portrayed in a positive manner. Ada, although different from other children, is never portrayed as weird or strange. Ada’s classroom has students from different races and the children appear in a variety of colorful clothing and styles, which helps enhance the message that being different is a wonderful thing.

Ada Twist, Scientist is intended to be read aloud to a child, rather than for the child to read it for the first time independently. The vocabulary may be difficult and some of the scientific language will need to be defined for the reader. However, Ada Twist, Scientist should be on every child’s bookshelf because of the story, illustrations, and lessons that will entertain readers time and time again.

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Forever Falls

Adam Raccoon’s favorite activity is swimming. He loves floating on his back and playing with his friends. King Aren, the ruler of the forest where Adam lives, has forbidden anyone from swimming in the pool above Forever Falls. Adam wonders if King Aren’s rule is really meant to keep the forest animals safe. How could a quick swim hurt? Adam can’t resist temptation. Will a quick swim turn into a dangerous trip downstream?

Adam Raccoon is a lovable character who has a knack for getting into trouble. The simple story, with full-colored illustrations will appeal to readers. The cartoonish pictures show Adam’s facial expressions, which allows readers to see his changing emotions—defeat, happiness, confusion, etc. Each page has one to two sentences of text, which makes Adam Raccoon at Forever Falls best read aloud to a child, rather than for a child to read it for the first time independently.

Readers will relate to Adam Raccoon as he struggles to do what is right. His story is engaging, fun, and teaches a lesson about salvation. At the end of the story, Adam realizes that his actions have consequences for himself as well as for others. The story gives an example of how Jesus (King Aren) died for us and then was resurrected. Although the story is a parable with a message about Jesus, younger children will be able to understand the message and enjoy the story.

Adam Raccoon’s actions drive the story, but King Aren is clearly the hero. The ending of the book has a brief explanation of why we use parables to teach and the deeper meaning behind the story. Adam Raccoon at Forever Falls is an engaging story that teaches about God’s love. Readers will want to read the story again and again because of the engaging story, amusing illustrations, and lovable characters.

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This story is a parable about God’s love.

Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes

The Watsons don’t think twice about taking a pig to the drive-in to see the movie When Pigs Fly. Everyone is looking forward to the Bottomless Buckets of popcorn. When they show up in their convertible, Mercy can’t resist the savory scent of popcorn. She goes on the hunt for the sweet treat and leads Control Officer Francine Poulet and others on a hilarious chase.

Many of the loveable characters from previous books reappear in the sixth installment of the Mercy Watson series. Even though many characters reappear, readers can still understand the story without having read previous books in the series. The illustrations focus on Mercy’s walk through the drive-in and people’s reaction when a pig snatches their buttery snack. Full of funny illustrations and interesting characters, Something Wonky This Way Comes will leave readers in giggles.

Brightly colored illustrations appear on almost every page. The silly illustrations exaggerate the characters’ facial expressions, which will help readers interpret the characters’ emotions. Something Wonky This Way Comes will help beginning readers turn into confident readers. The illustrations help break up the words on the page and most paragraphs are only one sentence. This is one series that readers will want to reread over and over again. The Mercy Watson series would be a fun book to read alone or with a parent.

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