Mousetronaut: Based on a (Partially) True Story
Charming tale of mouse helping astronauts on shuttle flight.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Mousetronaut is the story of a brave mouse named Meteor who goes on a space shuttle mission and helps the astronauts when they get into trouble. It's by retired astronaut Mark Kelly, a four-time veteran of the space shuttle and husband of former U.S. Rep. Gabrilelle Giffords. This fictional story was inspired by Kelly's first flight on space shuttle Endeavour, when he took a cage full of 18 mice, and one stood out among the others. Kids will enjoy this insider's view of space flight, and a the thrill of a very little guy saving the day.
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What's the Story?
A cute mouse named Meteor is smaller and weaker than the other NASA mice but hopes to be chosen for a space mission and works hard to get stronger. An astronaut is impressed by his effort and selects him. Then during the flight, when an astronaut drops an important key in a tight spot, Meteor squeezes in and saves the mission.
Is It Any Good?
The outcome is somewhat predictable, but MOUSESTRONAUT is appealing for its cute main character and engaging art. It succeeds as an insider's view of manned space flight, with lots of information about the space shuttle program in the substantial Afterword that parents and teachers can share with kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about space travel, NASA and the U.S. space program. Would you like to be an astronaut?
What other books or movies have given you a good idea of what it's like to go on a mission in space?
How do you think it would feel to be a tiny mouse in a spaceship? Can you see why some of the mice clung to the sides of their cage the whole way?
Book Details
- Author: Mark Kelly
- Illustrator: C.F. Payne
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Adventures, Cats, Dogs, and Mice, History, Science and Nature, Space and Aliens
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Publication date: October 9, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 4
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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