Space

Christy Conte is a member of the Parents Advisory Committee at the
YMCA’s Parent and Child Enrichment Centre, and a journalist.

Like other titles in the Crabapples series, this is a bright and
busy-looking introduction to a popular topic. In addition to covering
all the planets in our solar system, Space touches on asteroids,
meteors, stars, and space exploration. A page or two is generally
allotted to each topic, with photos and graphics occupying slightly more
than half of the assigned space.

On the plus side, Space is well written; the language used is clear and
concise, and facts have been well chosen for presentation to a young
audience. In an effort to catch the young reader’s attention, however,
the design team has gone to town with the graphics. Some pages confuse
rather than illuminate, the result of photographs used in combination
with color blocking and line drawing. At least one 5-year-old has been
heard to ask whether the sun really does have petals like a sunflower.

Despite some design flaws, Space manages to capture the interest of
budding astronauts, which makes it a worthwhile introduction to a
perennially popular subject. Recommended.