Star. Moon, Zoom
Moira Butterfield and Ro Ledesma
Happy Yak

Moira Butterfield is adept at presenting complex subjects in such a way that they appeal to relatively young readers. She certainly does so with this space science book. Herein she uses a lively group of children and their brainy dog, Charlie (a space expert) to introduce readers to big scientific questions, making the content approachable and thought-provoking. ‘Is space smelly? Is it noisy?’ she asks to introduce an early spread; that’s sure to grab children’s attention from the outset. This reviewer was amused to read that ‘NASA has a team of top smellers to test everything they put in a new spaceship. Anything that’s too pongy gets taken out.’

Have you ever wondered what trash astronauts have left behind on the moon? Apparently there are a dozen pairs of boots, a falcon bird feather, two golf balls, three space buggies and about ninety six bags of sick, wee and poo – delightful. Let’s hope all this was left in the moon’s dark patches.

Do you know what a comet tail is made from? Or rather a comet’s tails – it has two, one a gas tail, the other a dust tail and some comet tails can stretch up to a million kilometres.

The final question: is there any life in other parts of space? is one that has yet to be answered. Questions like these are sure to encourage discussion, critical thinking and prediction all of which are vital skills that children need to develop.

With its lucid explanations, a playful tone and gently humorous illustrations by Ro Ledesma, this is likely to encourage many youngsters to become space experts. A valuable addition to a KS1 class collection or home bookshelves.