EARTH TO STELLA!
by Simon Puttock & illustrated by Philip Hopman
A budding astronaut’s bedtime routine involves side trips to the Moon and beyond in this good-humored tribute to the power of imagination. When her dad announces that it’s time for bed, Stella leaves her desk, which is cluttered with scientific equipment, to wash up, climb into her spacesuit—er, pajamas—and soar off into space. Hopman illustrates the voyage with softly colored cartoon views of the helmeted young pilot, in a space ship that closely resembles the plush hen on her sun-patterned bedspread, zooming past stars and planets as a parental voice (see title) calls reminders from behind. Ultimately, Stella “returns” to Earth, and wakes up her dozing father to announce that she’s found a new life form. Off they blast bedroom-ward together—happy landing. (Picture book. 5-8)