THIS ROCKET

Collicutt is well known for his bold and energetic picture books on transportation vehicles. Rockets fit his style to a T: They are fast and furious; they come in a wide variety; and they don’t just move us around, they can take us to the Moon. The text is simple and comparative: “This rocket is tall. This rocket is short,” announces a two-page spread. Moreover, Collicutt includes front and end pieces of much greater detail: One is a history of rockets with a strong company of illustrations, the other a step-by-step look at the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon. Yet, as always, it’s Collicutt’s artwork that speaks volumes: It is, appropriately, utterly transporting, with Collicutt providing both wonderfully specific drawings of rockets and backdrops in which readers can fully immerse themselves. (Picture book. 3-6)