“Mousetronaut”
by Mark Kelly, illustrated by C.F. Payne.
Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers, New York, 2012,32 pages, Grades K-2.
Wordless or nearly-wordless picture books are often used with early readers. The reasons for this are many. First, students have not developed their cognitive skills to manage text. Simply put, this means that they are just learning to read. Second, the illustrations and pictures help young students make sense of the story. The illustrations can carry the meaning of the narration. Third, wordless and nearly-wordless picture books can be great fun to read. They are particularly suited to oral reading. In these enjoyable encounters, parents and teachers share the book with youngsters. Usually, the adults will have as much fun as the students.
Mark Kelly has written a delightful book in this genre about space travel. Mr. Kelly knows firsthand about space travel, having been an astronaut on the Space Shuttle. The name of this enjoyable book is “Mousetronaut.”
The story begins with a small mouse looking longingly into the heavens. A meteor shoots across the sky and the tiny mouse is gripped with interest. Where did it come from and where is it going?
At Cape Canaveral the NASA Space Shuttle is being readied for a launch. Dozens of engineers are checking and re-checking the instruments and computers manning the flight. The astronauts are also double checking their many assignments before the launch. In a nearby room, a group of mice are also part of the mission.
The small mouse, Meteor, particularly wants to be selected for the adventure. He trains hard to be in top physical condition. While the other mice lazily wait to be chosen, Meteor constantly runs on a hamster wheel and does repeated chin-ups on a bar. He is determined to be ready. The lethargic mice are much larger than Meteor and look down on his small frame with disdain.
The Shuttle Commander walks down to the cage and begins to select the mice for the space flight. He names Meteor to be the sixth and final mouse for the journey.
All the mice are placed in a new cage called the Mouse Hotel. The five large mice are quickly frightened and awed by the coming space launch. But Meteor is excited and ready to go. He has trained and worked out. When the Shuttle is finally launched, the five big mice huddle in the corner of the Mouse Hotel.
But Meteor begins having the time of his life. He spins around in weightlessness and the Shuttle Commander announces: “Hey little guy. You’re a natural. A real live mousetronaut.”
Suddenly, the control board gets jammed and the astronauts cannot get it fixed. Who can solve this problem? Someone small and athletic is needed, as the astronauts are too big. The Commander spies Meteor. Maybe the small mouse could wiggle his way through this problem and save the mission. All the astronauts hold their breath as Meteor plunges into the control panel.
Does Meteor save the mission? What qualities does a hero have? Have you ever done anything courageous? Why is Meteor so admirable? To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and check out this delightful story: “Mousetronaut,” by Mark Kelly.
“Mousetronaut” is on this year’s K-3 Golden Sower List. Nebraska school children vote for their most popular book from this list. I have to believe that this title has a good chance of winning. The pictures in this book are endearing. I hope you get a chance to read it with a younger member in your family. You will be laughing before you finish. Enjoy!
