Mousetronaut Goes to Mars

(Hardback)

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Meteor the mousetronaut returns to outer space in this exciting story from #1 New York Times bestselling author and retired NASA astronaut Commander Mark Kelly and renowned illustrator C.F. Payne.

3-2-1blast off! The smallest member of the team, a mouse named Meteor, is back on board and ready to come to the rescue on an interplanetary adventure! With lively illustrations by award-winning artist C.F. Payne, this charming new mousetronaut adventure will inspire imaginations of all sizes! Includes detailed scientific back matter.

Reviews

When NASA announces the crew of the upcoming Mars mission, Meteor the Mousetronaut is, shockingly, not on the list.

No matter; the little mouse isnt about to let his training go to waste. He packs his spacesuit and stows away on the Galaxy, floating out to scavenge crumbs while the human crew sleeps. After six months, the Galaxy reaches Mars orbitbut one of the landing crafts engines fails, and the remaining one isnt strong enough to transport even one human. Meteor volunteers for duty and, equipped with a tiny American flag, descends to the Red Planet to gather rock samples. Six months later, he returns to Earth to be welcomed as a hero with the other astronauts. While this story inevitably lacks the freshness of Meteors debut (Mousetronaut, 2012), Kellys prose and storytelling have matured, and Meteors enthusiasm is as infectious as ever. Paynes delightfully regular-looking, multiethnic and gender-inclusive crew displays the same winning combination of heroism and lumpiness (the mission commander has an endearingly potatolike face) that distinguished the first adventure. Perhaps whats most striking about this book, though, is the four-page afterword, in which Kelly summarizes the history of Mars exploration and discusses the potential for a real manned mission. His eloquence in advocating for a vigorous space program bespeaks both passion and experience.

Rodent or no, Meteor sure is one heck of a space ambassador. (Picture book. 4-8) * Kirkus *

Author Bio

Mark Kelly has served as the junior USSenator from Arizona since 2020. He was a captain in the United States Navy when he commanded the final mission of space shuttle Endeavour in May 2011. A veteran of four space flights to the International Space Station, he is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and holds a masters degree from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.

C. F. Paynehas illustrated more than a dozen picture books, including theNew York TimesbestsellingMousetronautby astronaut Mark Kelly;the Texas Bluebonnet winnerShoeless Joe & Black Betsy,written by Phil Bildner;and theNew York TimesbestsellersThe Remarkable Farkle McBrideandMicawber, both by John Lithgow. He teaches at the Columbus College of Art & Design, where he is the chair of the Illustration Department. Payne lives with his wife and children in Cincinnati, Ohio. Visit him online at CFPayne.com.