Look Up!

Rocket is determined; she is going to be an astronaut. But first there is the Phoenix Meteor Shower to view. She wants everyone to join her in the park for the occasion. She makes fliers, she stops shoppers in the supermarket, she even makes an announcement over the speaker system. And people do turn up – sadly nature is not always obliging. Is Rocket going to be disappointed?

Dapa Adeola’s lively, bold and colour saturated illustrations capture the energy and self-confidence of this small girl for whom the stars truly are the limit. Not like big brother, Jamal, whose eyes are fixed on his phone. The characters speak directly to the reader through their expressions and body language as much as through the text. Indeed, Rocket speaks to us directly telling us her story, Nathan Byrne capturing that confident tone of the very young who know their subject whether it be dinosaurs or the stars and for whom shyness is not an option.

This attractive picture book is one that should find a place in kinder boxes everywhere, a welcome addition that will have young readers looking up to the stars.