Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Annabel Tempest

Sadie Sprocket Buids a Rocket written by Sue Fliess, 

illustrated by Annabel Tempest

Two Lions, 2021, 40 pages

Sadie wants nothing more than to travel through the galaxy way beyond earth. So naturally, she did some research, checking out every book in the library about space and discovered that no one has ever been to Mars. Now, Sadie wants to be the first person to land on the red planet.  

But Sadie isn't just a dreamer, she's a doer. So she gathers up a crew, and together they all build a rocket ship that will be sturdy, safe and fast. As her crew builds the ship, Sadie studies the celestial map and chooses a date for blast off. 

Finally, it was time to take off and travel to Mars. Everyone comes to wish Sadie and her crew a safe journey - her family, her friends, even a group of reporters are there. After all, Sadie is a girl who was about to make history. The trip is long so Sadie and her crew try to entertain themselves to pass the time, but with no gravity, everything floats around. Finally, they land safely on their destination and immediately begin to gather samples to take back to earth. After gathering 20 bags of samples from the surface of Mars, it is time to go - a sand storm is heading their way but it arrives before they are able to blast off for earth. 

Before they can even take off, the sand storm buries the landing gear and there is so much sand they have to wait until it clears a bit to see what needs to be done. But, even after it clears up enough, the rocket ship wouldn't start. Would they be stuck on Mars forever, or will Sadie be able to save the day?

I just realized that today is the first day of Women's History Month 2021 and a book about a girl who dreams of becoming a astronaut/scientist is the perfect picture book with which to welcome the month. Sadie is a wonderful fictional role model, a girl who uses her imagination creatively, she's also a dreamer, a doer and a problem solver...and, oh, yes, a trailblazer. The whole story is written is rhyming quatrains that never lose their musicality and the digital cartoon style illustrations are detailed and colorful, and make clear for the littlest readers that Sadie's trip to Mars is an imaginary one, but that doesn't diminish the STEM message. 

But don't think this is a story just for girls. When I shared it with my young readers, both boys and girls enjoyed it equally. They all especially liked Sadie's choice of crew, and it did generate a talk about space and possibilities. Who knows? Maybe this book has inspired a future scientist or two in my little reading group.

Meet the Author:

Sue Fliess is the author of more than thirty children's books, including Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins illustrated by Mark Chambers, Shoes for Me! A Dress for Me!, and Books for Me!, all illustrated by Mike Laughead; and Let's Build illustrated by Miki Sakamoto. She lives with her family and their two dogs in northern Virginia, where they admire the moon, stars, and sometimes even planets from their backyard. Learn more about Sue at www.suefliess.com, on Twitter: @SueFliess, on Facebook: Sue Fliess Author and Pinterest: Sue Fliess

Meet the Illustrator:

Annabel Tempest is the illustrator of a number of picture books and board books. She holds a degree in fashion and textiles and has worked as a freelance illustrator on everything from maps and packaging to greeting cards and children's books. She lives in the beautiful Somerset countryside in the UK with her husband and a houseful of muddy boys and dogs. Learn more about Annabel at www.annabeltempest.com and on Instagram: annabel.tempest

This book is recommended for readers and dreamers age 4+

This book was an eARC gratefully received from Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media