R.M. Smith

An Alphabet in Space is a step up from the traditional "A is for Apple" type books. By focusing on space, children are introduced to new concepts. As a science-oriented mommy, I really appreciate that. The text at the top of each page introduces the space object with a short rhyme, which helps with some of the more complicated concepts, like Quasar and Kuiper Belt. The illustrations are a mixed bag for me. I love how realistic the actual objects are. The asteroid and x-ray telescope are seriously impressive. I didn't love the 5-point stars or the backgrounds, but I like that they weren't all white like most of the books in the ABC category. I think a kid may recognize the stars and appreciate them, and I can envision them wanting to practice over and over.

Recommended age: 2-4 years

Writing style: Each page describes a singular object. The text rhymes, but there is no singular pattern. For example, "It's a bull in space, far out and gruff, it's got horns and hooves and other animal stuff," and "You might see it shine bright on a clear and cloudless night."

Lexile range (unofficial): 410L - 600L
Decoding difficulty: 3/5
Vocabulary difficulty: 5/5
Sentences difficulty: 5/5
Patterns difficulty: 5/5

Illustration style: The background of each page is a space colored (dark blue, deep purple, or dark greenish blue) with white and blue 5-point stars like you learn to draw in school. In the middle of the page is a drawing of the object for the particular letter, like the international space station, constellations, or planets.

Reality-based: Each letter represents one thing in space. Most are realistic. U is UFO, but I can't think of any other space-related word for U, so it gets a pass in this category.

Disclaimer: Thank you, BookSirens and Clarence-Henry Books, for this title. All opinions are my own.… (més)

This book was cute but weird. Very strange for a child's book the first of the book we meet Rudy who in all honesty is a BRAT. His mom brings home a family heirloom he breaks it and blames it on the other children. Then the entire book gets completely weird as Rudy runs to the store to get an apple pie. First, for a child's book shouldn't Rudy learn his lesson somehow at home? Second, this book was printed in 2012 do parents still let children run to the store alone. Third, the whole second half of the story was AWFUL and I will not be allowing any little ones to read this story.… (més)

I personally thought this book was very well thought out and had a great underlying message for children. Rudy and Cirrus of Karma teaches children reasoning and that your actions do have consequences.

I read this to my daughters and they loved the book as well. The illustrations kept there attention along with the story line. They were easily able to relate to rudy and reflect back on the times when they lied,stole from their sister etc...After finishing up the book I always have them summarize and tell me what they learned from the book and they were able to break it down just fine and got the moral of the story as well. They have asked me twice in the same day already to re-read the book to them.… (més)