The Space Walk

by Brian Biggs, Brian Biggs (Illustrator)

Overview

One small step for man is one giant leap for friendship in this funny kid-level space adventure

Astronaut Randolph Witherspoon wants to take a walk—a space walk, that is! But Ground Control has other ideas. Randolph must eat some lunch, get some exercise, and then he can go outside, provided he dresses warmly and doesn't talk to strangers. But Randolph's mission doesn't exactly go to plan, leading to an unexpected new friend.

Brian Biggs puts an interstellar spin on the parent-child relationship in this hilarious new picture book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780525553373
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	10/29/2019
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.70(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Brian Biggs was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He currently makes illustrations for books, posters, puzzles, and games in an old garage in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Visit his website at www.mrbiggs.com.

Editorial Reviews

"An effervescent outing with a refreshingly (or, in some quarters, distressingly) subversive message." —Kirkus

"[K]ids will revel in the beautiful displays along with the quick and efficient story." —BCCB

"Readers will relate, as Biggs's digital illustrations (cheekily described in the art note on the copyright page) picture space as a vibrantly colorful wonderland where new friends await and boredom is busted by simply exploring the outdoors." —Horn Book

From the Publisher

2019-06-16
What better way to meet a new friend than taking a walk outside—even in space?

In a strangely familiar exchange, astronaut Randolph Witherspoon whines that he's bored, and Ground Control grants permission for a stroll outside—as soon as he has lunch and cleans up his capsule. One warning: "Don't talk to strangers!" A packet of mashed Brussels sprouts and a bit of housekeeping later, Randolph is out the hatch, floating in space that Biggs has festooned with swirly, polka-dot planets in party colors, and snapping pictures of various astro-wonders. When one of these last (looking like a tin can trailing a cluster of mechanical arms) displays a googly eye, it takes but a few big, wordless panels before astronaut and ET are happily orbiting each other, taking selfies together, and finally exchanging goodbye hugs. "Spacewalk complete!" Randolph informs Ground Control, asking if he can go out again later. "We'll see in the morning." It will not be lost on children that while Randolph may not actively talk to his unexpected companion, he does not seem to be observing the letter of Ground Control's law. The porousness of this aspect of the narrative should lead to some interesting conversations between listeners and caregivers.

An effervescent outing with a refreshingly (or, in some quarters, distressingly) subversive message. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews