There's No Place like Space!: All about Our Solar System Book

Au revoir, Pluto! In this newly revised, bestselling backlist title, beginning readers and budding astronomers are launched on a wild trip to visit the now eight planets in our solar system (per the International Astronomical Union’s 2006 decision to downgrade Pluto from a planet to a dwarf planet), along with the Cat in the Hat, Thing One, Thing Two, Dick, and Sally. It’s a reading adventure that’s out of this world!

Children's Literature

Here comes the Cat in the Hat to take us on a journey through our solar system. Told in the Cat's signature classic style of verse, readers are invited to hop in the space craft along with Thing One and Thing Two (your mothers won't mind) to "dance on the moon and play games in the sky." Join along as they stop at each planet and learn at least one fact along the way, too. After visiting each planet, the Cat reveals a few constellations: Orion, Taurus, Leo, Ursa Major—and using your imagination you can see how they came to be named. Then it is on to the closest star, the sun, followed by their final stop at the moon. After studying the mysteries of the universe the Cat presents two earthlings a gift of a telescope, perfect for budding astronomers. Ruiz's illustrations certainly do justice to the original Cat in the Hat stories, with hardly an interruption in style and creativity. One point of conversation in this revised edition may be the omission of Pluto, recently removed from the roster of planets. In the era of political correctness Pluto could have been mentioned, but it is neglected entirely. That alone can serve as a fodder for follow-up discussions with the book. Following the engaging text are a brief glossary, suggestions for further reading, and an index. This is a great addition to the "Cat in the Hat" collections as well as a nonfiction choice for space books in your library. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young