Goodnight Spaceman by Michelle Robinson and Nick East

Puffin, 2016. ISBN 9780141365626
(Age: 4-7) Recommended. Space travel. Space. Adventure. An inspiring story about space travel and being an astronaut, this is a book that will inspire young children to reach for the stars. Two little boys get ready for bed and after saying good night to their shuttle, base and darkest space they zoom away on an adventure in a space rocket.
The book begins with an introduction by ESA astronaut Tim Peake, who has two small sons who dream of having adventures in space just like the two children in the book. He is the first official British ESA astronaut and has spent time aboard the International Space Station.
The book, beautifully illustrated by Nick East, takes the two children through space up on a space rocket past the planets and onto the space station. Not only is space depicted in gorgeous colours, readers will learn about what it is like inside a space station through the detailed and engaging drawings of its interior.
The rhyming story is perfect to read aloud. The large print and rhythm of the tale will also be helpful in encouraging beginning readers to have a go at reading for themselves.
This is lovely book to read at bedtime, but would also be great to use in the classroom when children are looking at space and travelling to the planets.
Pat Pledger