With the help of her stuffed animals, and cheered on by a diverse crowd of spectators and reporters, Sadie builds and equips her rocket and sets off to Mars, accompanied by her rabbit, teddy, and owl friends. It's a long journey, but she keeps busy recording data. When they finally arrive, they visit the surface and collect specimens, but when it's time to set off the rocket won't start! Fortunately, Sadie stays calm and tries different fixes until they successfully launch and return to earth. Back on earth, Sadie is a celebrity, but she doesn't rest on her laurels. Next stop, Neptune!
Tempest has what I consider to be a rather typical British art style. Lots of messy, sketchy lines, splashes of color, and cartoon touches. The text is in rather lengthy verse (other reviews inform me these are quatrains and I have no reason to disbelieve them) and has a perky, bouncy rhythm.
This is high on can-do attitude, but I found the focus on Sadie's celebrity status a bit of a distraction, while the actual science aspects are mostly skated over. It wouldn't be my first pick - for imaginative titles on space travel I'd go with How to be on the moon by Viviane Schwarz or Chicken in space by Adam Lehrhaupt. And, of course, there are lots of nonfiction or informative fiction titles on outer space as well.
Verdict: For fans of characters like Rosie Revere, Engineer, or teachers looking for an upbeat read-aloud that shows kids, especially girls, involved in science and working to overcome obstacles, this is a nice addition. While not a first purchase, it's a great addition if you have a strong selection of women in science and space and want to branch out a little for something fun and new.
ISBN: 9781542018036; Published February 2021 by Two Lions; Review copy provided by publicist; Donated to the library
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