A Place for Pluto

by Stef Wade, Melanie Demmer (Illustrator)

Overview

Pluto got the shock of his life when he was kicked out of the famous nine. His planet status was stripped away, leaving him lost and confused. Poor Pluto! On his quest to find a place where he belongs, he talks to comets, asteroids, and meteoroids. He doesn't fit it anywhere! But when Pluto is about to give up, he runs into a dwarf planet and finally finds his place in the solar system. This feel-good board book combines a popular science topic with character education themes of self discovery, acceptance, and friendship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684460939
Publisher:	Capstone Editions
Publication date:	07/01/2019
Pages:	30
Sales rank:	537,805
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 6.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	AD560L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Stef Wade used to write about cardboard boxes, but thinks writing books is far more exciting. She was the co-creator and writer for the former cooking and home blog Haute Apple Pie. Stef holds a BA in advertising from Marquette University and an MBA in Integrated Marketing Communication from DePaul University. Stef is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She currently resides in the greater Milwaukee area with her husband and three boys.

Melanie is an American artist born and raised in Plymouth, Michigan. She has been drawing since she was a little girl. Back then, her favorite canvas was pavement and her go to medium was sidewalk chalk. Nowadays, Melanie likes create artwork digitally but also enjoys using watercolor, markers, colored pencils, and acrylic paint. Oh, and sometimes a pinch of glitter too!  Melanie is a 2013 graduate of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan where she earned a BFA in Illustration. The Michigan-native has since relocated to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career in illustration and design.

Interviews

• A fresh approach to a common science theme - mixes science with Character Ed  • Addresses the need for books on acceptance and self-awareness

Editorial Reviews

A charming story about finding your place in the world (or the solar system). When Pluto loses his planet status, he feels sad and adrift. As he searches for a new identity, he makes new friends and learns valuable lessons (and fascinating facts!) in a journey that is part science, part self-discovery.

Barnes & Noble Kids blog

The story skillfully entertains while educating readers about Pluto and other solar system elements. Great artwork throughout — very evocative.

Imagination Soup

This book is just adorable, and it’s my son’s favorite of the BookExpo 2018 haul. It’s a smart approach to explaining Pluto’s history to readers. . . .With an upbeat messages about identity, acceptance, and friendship, and adorable artwork, this is a must-add to your planet books.

Mom Read It

Poor Pluto. Disheartened that after decades together he can no longer call himself a planet along with Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and the others, he sets off with four moon companions and a wee suitcase, his expressive eyes wide open. Join him on his quest to find a place to belong while learning what makes planets, comets, asteroids, and meteoroids unique in a delightful and accessible take on the redesignation of the Kuiper Belt’s most controversial orbiter.

Foreword Reviews

07/26/2019

PreS-K-This is a lighthearted introduction to the galaxy, written in the style of typical picture books. The character, who in this case is Pluto, tries to discover where he fits in. The text reads, "Then one day, Saturn, with her rings flashing, and Jupiter, with his entourage of moons beside him, told Pluto the worst news ever. You're not a planet anymore. You're not big enough. Sorry." Pluto then goes on a journey to figure out where he belongs. The silly, fun approach to the storytelling will appeal to young readers while helping to build vocabulary and basic knowledge of terms. Readers discover Pluto's place isn't with Halley's Comet, the asteroids, or the meteoroids. Anthropomorphic cartoon illustrations complement the text and keep the mood light as Pluto learns that he belongs with the dwarf planets Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres. Even the back matter is glib and humorous. The headline, "What's the Deal with Pluto?" explains that Pluto was discovered in 1930 as the ninth planet in the solar system. But in 2006 Pluto was determined not to be a planet anymore ("Bummer."). VERDICT A good introduction to space for young children. The illustration and text make this a perfect choice for storytime or one-on-one sharing.-Robin Sofge, Prince William Public Library System, VA

School Library Journal

2018-04-25
If Pluto can't be a planet—then what is he?Having been a regular planet for "the better part of forever," Pluto is understandably knocked out of orbit by his sudden exclusion. With Charon and his four other moons in tow he sets off in search of a new identity. Unfortunately, that only spins him into further gloom, as he doesn't have a tail like his friend Halley's comet, is too big to join Ida and the other asteroids, and feels disinclined to try to crash into Earth like meteoroids Gem and Persi. Then, just as he's about to plunge into a black hole of despair, an encounter with a whole quartet of kindred spheroids led by Eris rocks his world…and a follow-up surprise party thrown by an apologetic Saturn ("Dwarf planet has a nice RING to it") and the other seven former colleagues literally puts him "over the moon." Demmer gives all the heavenly bodies big eyes (some, including the feminine Saturn, with long lashes) and, on occasion, short arms along with distinctive identifying colors or markings. Dressing the troublemaking meteoroids in do-rags and sunglasses sounds an off note. Without mentioning that the reclassification is still controversial, Wade closes with a (somewhat) straighter account of Pluto's current official status and the reasons for it.Make space for this clever blend of science and self-realization. (Picture book. 6-8)

Kirkus Reviews