Rocket Ship, Solo Trip

by Chiara Colombi, Scott Magoon (Illustrator)

Overview

A delightful, rhyming picture book that is perfect for fans of Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site and captures all the excitement and nervousness of life's big firsts; art by New York Times bestselling illustrator, Scott Magoon!

“First time jitters? That’s okay.
Find one small step to lead the way.”

Rocket is embarking on her first solo mission. Her goal? Place a satellite into orbit to take pictures of the beautiful unknown. With a few words of encouragement from Ground Control, Rocket sparks ignition and blasts off to discover all the beauty of outer space. But when it’s time for reentry, she wonders if she can do it alone. With Ground Control’s parting words in mind, Rocket trusts that she knows exactly what to do. She returns home at hypersonic speed and excited for her future expeditions…maybe next time, to the moon.

With delightful rhyming stanzas, and pictures by New York Times bestselling illustrator Scott Magoon, Rocket Ship, Solo Trip explores all the complicated emotions of big firsts and reminds readers that no matter how far they go, the ones they love are always close by.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593326930
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	02/27/2024
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	477,809
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Chiara Colombi never knew she wanted to be a writer. She was quite confident she would grow up to be an astronaut. In fact, she is still quite confident that she will grow up to be an astronaut. But in the meantime, she enjoys counting her lucky stars and finding words for the countless stories they inspire. She currently lives in California with her family and an open view of the sky. Connect with her online at ChiaraColombi.com.

Scott Magoon is the illustrator of several acclaimed picture books, including the New York Times bestselling Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship by Jessica Kensky & Patrick Downes, the Misunderstood Shark series by Ame Dyckman and the Spoon series by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. He is also the author/illustrator of Linus, The Little Yellow Pencil, Breathe and The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot. He lives in Massachusetts and looks to the stars, wishing space wasn’t quite so far. Visit him online at ScottMagoon.com.

Editorial Reviews

* "Wondrous—a book that says, 'You’ve got this,' seamlessly stirred into a STEM title." —School Library Journal Online Reviews, starred review

"Little ones trying new things will be encouraged . . . Blends social-emotional learning and STEM with engaging illustrations for a memorable trip into space." —Kirkus Reviews

"Colombi’s energetic rhyming verse propels the action. Magoon’s digital cartoon illustrations capture the movement and momentum of the exciting journey . . . This debut picture book encourages young readers to follow Rocket’s lead and soar." —Booklist Reviews

From the Publisher

★ 06/21/2024

PreS-Gr 1—The story is fictional: Rocket Ship is just a little jittery about her first time on the launchpad, launch, going into space—everything. It's overwhelming, but an omniscient narration reminds her to "use the countdown as your cue./ You'll see. You'll know just what to do." And it's true. Rocket Ship performs her duty to get her payload, a new satellite, into space where it will take pictures of Earth below. Facts are slipped into the story of Rocket Ship's successes, one by one, to give young children a very good idea of how to launch and set up a satellite for use: "Step three: her top hatch opens wide./ It's Rocket's turn to be the guide./ Station lends a helping hand/ Just like boosters did on land." The storytelling is effective, amplified by Magoon's simple shapes and easy-to-guess facial expressions, but detailed enough to provide a rudimentary sense of how a satellite works. A generous amount of information is dispensed in accessible terms and accompanied by friendly scenes that parallel an elementary age student's first solo project. VERDICT Wondrous—a book that says, "You've got this," seamlessly stirred into a STEM title.—Kimberly Olson Fakih

School Library Journal

2024-01-05
Even a rocket ship has to learn to be brave when she leaves home.

Rocket Ship is excited and a little nervous about her first solo trip to launch a space satellite that will take pictures of Earth below. She’s prepared, but “so much unknown lies up ahead. / So much at home to leave instead.” Ground Control sends helpful tips: “Find one small step to lead the way. / Use the countdown as your cue. / You’ll see. You’ll know just what to do.” After a hug from the anthropomorphized Launch Pad, Rocket Ship blasts off and then successfully launches the satellite. Soon pictures of stars and the northern lights will be on their way to Earth. Rocket Ship’s mission complete, it’s time for reentry, and although she’s happy to be going home, she has another case of the jitters. Luckily, she recalls Ground Control’s advice and begins a successful descent with a smile. Once she’s back on the ground, she’s already wishing for a new launch. “If only space weren’t quite so far.” Digitally created illustrations feature a personified rocket ship with an array of facial expressions that capture a range of emotions, from uncertainty to the satisfaction of a job well done; little ones trying new things will be encouraged. Caregivers and educators should preread the text before storytime to become comfortable with some of the rhythms.

Blends social-emotional learning and STEM with engaging illustrations for a memorable trip into space. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews