A sweet story about a mouse who believes the moon is made of cheese and sets off on a discovery to find out. An easy read for the little ones and a perfect bedtime story.

A sweet story to include in your class library and share aloud during your space unit, Astromouse discovers the moon and wants to get a closer look! He builds his own rocket and then creates a launching pad but just can't get to the moon. But suddenly he realizes the moon has come to him! What will Pip do now? Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #Storytime:Astromouse by Steve Smallman.

This is a lovely book that would be very useful to extend children’s thinking as part of a topic on space or travel. The mice characters are very engaging and sure to appeal to young children. The book includes reading comprehension questions and suggested activity ideas. These are useful, ( and I’m definitely trying the recipe for moon paint), but I think there would also be considerable scope for problem solving and Design and Technology activities. I would use this at the start of a topic, as part of a ‘Knowledge Harvest’ to find out what children already know about space and explore their thinking about space travel.

As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, I request children’s books to read to my grandkids before bedtime. I gauge my review on how attentive they are and how they respond. Both kids, 4 and 6, loved the book and listened quietly whilst the story unfolded. A beautifully illustrated book which tells the story of an inquisitive mouse and his quest to get to taste the cheese on the moon. A highly recommended read for kids.

Astromouse is a children's book that's written and illustrated by Steve Smallman.

Within twenty-four pages, this fiction book focuses on Pip the Mouse, as he decides to become an astromouse to travel to the moon. And Pip has plenty of entertaining adventures along the way.

There are cute illustrations interspersed throughout the story. In the back of book, there's a Next Steps section with discussion questions and activity suggestions to accompany the story.

Astromouse is a geared toward young children, particularly ages four to six.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is a cute adventure of a mouse that will appeal most to young children who love the outer space and animal tales. This baby mouse take his mother at face value when she tells him the moon is made from stinky cheese. He figures out how to make his own rocket, as he has decided to live on the moon, you know, the cheese and all. It doesn’t work out well for the little mouse, as he crashes and sees the reflection of the moon in the pond. After tasting the “moon”, which tastes like pond scum, he decides he likes living where he is from. An added feature to the book is extending activities for young children. There was too much text per page on my ebook for young readers, but that could be formatting. I think it would be better in a book that is less text per page and more illustrations.

A solid four stars for this cute story.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for a pre-publication ebook in exchange for an honest review.

When Pip tells his mom that he thinks he sees a mouse on the moon, she isn't surprised since many people say the moon is made of cheese. Since Pip loves stinky cheese, he's determined to be an astromouse and fly to the moon. He makes a rocket (of sorts) and tries to take off, but things don't go quite right.

On his way back home he sees the moon's reflection in a pond. He's sure the moon has come to see him since he couldn't make it there. He leans over to smell the moon. Ugh, it smells like pond water. Suddenly the eyes of a large frog appear and frighten Pip. Will he still be determined to visit the moon after that scare?

Cons: The story was fine, but I was distracted by the text which didn't feel tight.

Pros:  Pip's attempts to reach the moon should delight children. The illustrations are detailed and extremely cute.

I chose to read this book purely on the basis that the cover image is exactly the sort of book I would have chosen way back when I was in the target age bracket for this book. It reminded me (as do many of the book's illustrations) of the sort of films I loved as a kid like Fieval Goes West, Basil the Great Mouse Detective and The Rescuers. I think the early 1990's childhood version of myself would have been happy with this book choice. It's a nice little story with some adventure and exploration. Exactly what I would have wanted from a book.

Nowadays, as a teacher approaching this book, my main preoccupations are how it could be used with a class or a group of children. I am happy then to be able to say that this book would definitely be of use in class.

There's a range of topics this book could help with from design and technology (design your own spaceship?) to science and maths (space, transport and there's even a lovely image relating to reflection - brings to mind the fable of a greedy dog and a bone seeing its own reflection actually).

So, this book would ordinarily get 4 stars for being useful, interesting and a definite must have for KS1 classrooms. However, it sneaks in a bonus star for its final page. It ends with ideas for comprehension questions, ideas for inspiring writing and even a plan for an art lesson follow up. That's a feature always appreciated in books for educators!

This is a fun, well-illustrated adventure that sees a young mouse wanting to travel to the moon. Pip take his mum seriously when she tells him the moon is made from cheese. His favorite food is stinky cheese, so he wants to go. Every roadblock set in his way are overcome until the end. I liked the fact that Pip used his own imagination and resources to come up with his astronaut suit, rocket and launch pad. The ending was clever, helping Pip decide that he wanted to stay home. I loved the large, colourful and fun illustrations. The end of the book has suggestions for extending learning. I think the idea of "what if" will get kids thinking and imagining. A very cute story for primary students

Adorable. It may inspire STEM careers, and adults can talk with kids about why Astromouse’s attempts at getting to the moon are silly.

A nice little storyline with beautiful illustrations that the kids will love. Would definitely recommend this book.

A sweet children's book that was beautifully illustrated. A young mouse named Pip learns that the mouse is made of cheese, and his mind is made up -- He has to find a way to get on the moon! A lovely story of chasing your dreams, being creative, and finding a solution. A feel good book that made you smile. The illustrations were colorful and cheerful. A lovely addition to any home library.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly appreciate it!

Review: ASTROMOUSE by Steve Smallman

A heartwarming tale for young children and early readers, starring a young and adventurous mouse and his devoted mother. He spies the full moon and when his mother tells him it is made of cheese--his favorite food is stinky cheese--he wants to go see, and taste, for himself. Text is accompanied by delightful illustrations.

This is a fun, well-illustrated adventure that will appeal most to young children who are naturally curious about the big moon they see up in the sky. This little mouse take his mum seriously when she tells him the moon is made from stinky cheese. I liked the fact that the little mouse used his own imagination and resources to engineer his own rocket. The ending was clever, with the mouse seeing the reflection of the moon in a pond. I did feel that there was a bit too much text per page for young readers, and it may have been better in a 32 page book.

A cute story that can help activate "what if"s and getting kids comfortable with asking questions (Like they need a lot of help ANYWAY). Imagination and science.


Downloaded through Netgalley in exchange for a review :)