Space Dog

MINI GREY is the creator of the Boston Globe–Horn Book award-winning picture book Traction Man Is Here!, as well as Traction Man Meets TurboDog and Traction Man and the Beach Odyssey. Her brilliant, quirky humor can also be seen in Toys in Space, Hermelin the Detective Mouse, Three by the Sea, The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon, and Ginger Bear. Mini’s books have received 23 starred reviews. She is a former elementary school teacher. Visit her at MiniGrey.com

K-Gr 2—Even though they've been enemies in the past, Space Dog, Astro Cat, and Moustronaut team up for a special mission. It begins with Space Dog about to go home. His mission begins tackling problems in the Dairy Quadrant. A cute piece of cereal donning a crown pleads for help on Cornflake 5 because there is no milk on the planet. Meanwhile, planet Bottleopolis is inundated with milk. With Space Dog to the rescue, the planets are saved. His next feats involve tackling the Colossal Stink, a growing hairball living in the drain, and rescuing an escaped pet. Life returns to his normal, but boring, routine until Astrocat crashes his space saucer and needs to be rescued. Even though the two have been enemies, they soon discover how much fun it can be spending time together. Just when Astrocat is ready to head home, another distress call comes in. The Ketchup Volcanoes need their lids screwed on. Space Dog and Astrocat have a successful mission. But before they return home, Moustronaut needs rescuing from Cheese Ants, especially from the menacing Queen with huge green eyes and large striped legs. Despite their previous enmity, Astrocat saves Moustronaut. Although no one knows what the future holds, they decide to be friends. In typical Mini Grey-style, illustrations are bold and colorful. This graphic novel-like format will be embraced by its audience. VERDICT With elements of space, dogs, and friendship, this is likely to find an enthusiastic audience.—Robin Sofge, Alexandria Library, VA