Hey-Ho, to Mars We'll Go!A Space-Age Version of "The Farmer in the Dell"By: Susan Lendroth / Illustrated by: Bob KolarThis musical mission to Mars will have young astronauts talkingand singingabout the science of space travel.Singing astronauts on a missio
By: Susan Lendroth / Illustrated by: Bob Kolar
Singing astronauts on a mission explore the science behind a trip to Mars, from launch to landing on the Red Planet. Set to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell,” this jaunty journey follows five adorable, bobble-headed astronauts as they learn how to bathe in zero gravity, grow veggies in space, and entertain themselves on the six-month trip.
This book defies gravitytext and art float free on the page, encouraging readers to turn the book sideways and upside-down.
An interactive, innovative approach to interstellar fun.
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Susan Lendroth, author
Susan Lendroth is a book lover who grew up to write her own. She lives in southern California with her daughter, a fluffy orange cat, and piles of books. Her favorite word is journey…or mystery (or maybe London).
Read more about Susan Lendroth.
Bob Kolar, illustrator
Bob Kolar lives with his family in Kansas City, Missouri, where he is an art teacher at the Kansas City Art Institute. He has written and illustrated many picture books, including the Astroblast! Series (now an animated show on the Sprout network).
Read more about Bob Kolar.
Kirkus Reviews
A first-person journey to Mars, to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell,” with additional space exploration facts.Through text that reads to the tune of the familiar children’s song, readers join four childrenall of different skin tone and hair coloras they climb aboard a rocket headed for Mars. Each verse introduces new astronautic concepts and vocabulary, from the “launch” on Earth to the exploration of Mars. Readers become crew members and take part in life on the spacecraft: “I squirt myself clean”; “We sleep on the walls”; “Our greens grow in bags”; “Cycling keeps us strong.” As the children enter zero gravity and float around the page, so do the words, often requiring readers to turn the book. Lendroth includes second-person point-of-view paragraphs set in smaller type that delve deeper into astronautic facts, inviting readers’ interaction and preparing them for an exciting trip into space. Kolar’s detailed yet cheerful illustrations, done in his familiar, matte, graphically bold style, encourage an engaging and positive outlook on being an astronaut. Overall, the words flow well with the tune and, together with the often-upside-down illustrations, create the perspective of being in space. An amusing sing-along read-aloud to introduce space exploration and astronautics.
Booklist
This picture book about a diverse team of kids traveling in a rocket ship to Mars has arresting illustrations and a wealth of information. Its subtitle bills it as a space-age version of The Farmer in the Dell, and the main text follows the old rhymes pattern and cadence, albeit awkwardly at times. For example, a spread devoted to bathing in space proclaims, I squirt myself clean. This makes reading aloud a particular challenge, as does a zero-gravity-inspired layout that requires the book to be regularly rotated. And a burned question posed by the kids How long till we get there?isnt answered until the ending information page. What does come through are fascinating details about the stages of a journey to Mars, from launch through arrival and exploration, and what life is like on a rocket ship, all provided in bite-size, factual blurbs scattered throughout. The digital illustrations are gasp-inducing, and the contrast between the four children and the immensity of space is done beautifully. For space enthusiasts.
School Library Journal
A board book version of a space-age The Farmer in the Dell follows four children astronauts of varying skin and hair colors on their journey to Mars, beginning with the rockets blastoff and concluding with exploration of the planets surface. Each jaunty rhyming verse in large black letters addresses a simple aspect of living in space, with a few longer facts and explanations interspersed in smaller non-rhyming white font throughout the story. Some of the text layout mimics the havoc that the lack of gravity plays with objects in space, turning the paragraphs every which way so that readers must rotate the book as well. Kolars bold stylized graphic illustrations in bright oranges and blues feature friendly smiling faces, and just enough details to be engaging but not overwhelming. They perfectly complement the upbeat text, creating an exuberantly cheerful and exciting vision of space exploration.
VERDICT A fun and appealing board book adaptation for reading aloud, suited to acquainting the youngest audience with space travel.
Download the CoverDownload the Activity GuideDownload the Answer Key
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-58089-744-0
Board Book
ISBN: 978-1-62354-376-1
E-book
ISBN: 978-1-63289-561-5 EPUB
ISBN: 978-1-63289-562-2 PDF
Ages: 4-8
Page count: 40
91/2 x 91/2
Correlated to Common Core State Standards:
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade K. Standards 1-4, 6-8, 10
English Language Arts-Literacy. Reading Informational. Grade 1. Standards 1-4, 6-8, 10
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