The Planet Hunter Book

This biography is so perfect for kids, especially those interested in astronomy or discovery/invention. It's about Mike Brown and it starts when he's a boy and goes to the present. He's now an adult with a daughter of his own. But, he's "Mike" throughout the book and he's referred to in a way that does not distance him too much from his childhood goals, or from children being able to identify with him. He's portrayed in such a way that children will like and admire him, but he doesn't seem like a high and mighty adult either.

This story of a man who's looking to make a discovery and finds something else that also ends up being an important find could spur on young scientists and children who have interest in other fields too. It shows how continuing to work and persevering with childhood dreams can lead to success as an adult.

I love some of the illustrations. The expression on Mike's face on the "space blob" page is priceless; what the illustrator did with his eyes is great. I also love that baby Lilah's over the crib mobile was a replica of our solar system. I was delighted that the new solar system poster was there, folded into the inside back cover of this library copy of the book. It's a wonderful poster that gives a good feel for the proper scale of the sun and planets and other space objects; I hope it never gets separated from the book. Many of the illustrations are too garish for my taste in art, but they work for this book, and I'm always a sucker for a cute dog, and there is one of those in some of the early pictures.

This is one of six picture books for November's "space" theme at the Picture Books Club at the Children's Books group. Another winner! It's rare that our books are not really good, and all have been worthy of the interesting discussions we have.

So, now the thing I appreciate most about this children's picture book is that maybe, just maybe, it finally convinced me that Pluto shouldn't be deemed a planet. I really mourned when Pluto lost its planet status, but I have to admit its demotion makes sense, something which I hadn't wanted to admit up until now. It sometimes takes me awhile to adjust!