| For the aspiring astronauts and alien enthusiasts in your life, below are new and forthcoming picture books related to all things outer space. Find nonfiction highlighting the real-life science behind space travel, a poignant tale about existential extraterrestrials, a quirky robot on a mission, and more.
As always, find some of the latest reviews of children’s and YA books from Consortium publishers, plus new featured collections. And, don’t miss our newly released Fall 2025 catalog highlighting forthcoming kids and YA books!
| |
Astro
by Manuel Marsol, trans. Lizzie Davis
Transit Children’s Editions • April 2025 • 9798893389043 • iPage
An astronaut grapples with the absence of his otherworldly friend in this poignant tale of loss and acceptance. When Astro arrives on a faraway planet, everyone wants to meet him. Who’s this strange person, and why is he here? But one kind creature in particular is especially drawn to him. Together, they form an unlikely bond and navigate the world’s curious terrains. But when the creature is taken from him, Astro must confront the difficult questions that underlie our existence: Why are we here? What is our life for?
Kirkus Reviews calls Astro “an achingly beautiful testament to life, love, and death among the stars” in a starred review. Foreword Reviews says, “In this poignant picture book . . . eclectic illustrations follow an astronaut’s arrival to an alien world with strange creatures and colorful, swirling landscapes.”
| |
How Far Are the Stars?
by Sabine Bohlmann, illus. Emilia Dziubak, trans. Polly Lawson
Floris Books • April 2025 • 9781782509127 • iPage
A curious kitten wants to know everything: How big is the world? Who does it belong to? How far are the stars? Patiently, Mama cat encourages her kitten to explore and wonder. They discover that the world is bigger than they could imagine and that it belongs to everyone. How Far Are the Stars? is a gentle, heartwarming story about the bond between a parent and child and the joy of asking questions.
Youth Services Book Review calls the story “a sweet tale. . . . The way the artist depicts night is masterful and readers will enjoy taking their time to find the many fun things to discover on each page.”
| |
Meep
by Máire Zepf, illus. Paddy Donnelly
Little Island Books • June 2025 • 9781915071668 • iPage
Meet Meep, the hardest working robot in the solar system! Meep is on a mission to find alien life on Mars, and is tasked with sending photos back to Earth. But her mission is not an easy one. Meep soon learns that even the bravest robots need a little support from those who love them.
Kirkus Reviews calls the book “quirky, offbeat, and sweet,” adding, “Meep’s earnest, appealing personality is supported effectively by the imaginative, out-of-this-world artwork, offering glimpses of the protagonist’s perspective and what’s beyond her viewpoint. As with much of life, even on Mars, there’s often more than meets the eye.”
| |
For almost all of time, the moon lay untouched. Then the race into space brought human visitors, spacecraft, and a new age of exploration. Author and illustrator Sarah Mühlebach details the many endeavors to reach the moon—from ancient dreamers to daring astronauts from countries around the globe. Mission Moon spans from the earliest satellites to life aboard the International Space Station, and looks to the future by examining the new for-profit space race, international moon rover expeditions, and the upcoming Artemis missions, which plan to put humans on the moon again as early as 2026. The cover of Mission Moon features a UV coating that glows in the dark.
| |
The Haunted Blizzard
by Aviaq Johnston, illus. Athena Gubbe
Inhabit Media • June 2025 • 9781772275605
★ “The dark, dramatic backgrounds contrast with pops of color, and the surprise ending leaves room for readers’ imaginations. Atmospheric and otherworldly; evokes a sense of mystery and unease and will leave readers wanting more.” — Kirkus Reviews
| |
The Paper Bridge
by Joelle Veyrenc, illus. Seng Soun Ratanavanh, trans. Katy Lockwood-Holmes
Floris Books • May 2025 • 9781782509073
★ “The village of Paperlee is made entirely of paper, including the people; when the seasonal winds blow, they tie down their houses and carry stones in their pockets. . . . The enchanting scenes were composed using kirigami (the Japanese art of paper cutting and folding) and then photographed; the result is an unmatched work of art.” — Foreword Reviews
| |
| | Gus
by Liz Murray, illus. Walid Serageldine
Berbay Publishing • February 2025 • 9781922610720
“Illustrated in warm tones and gentle lines reminiscent of Eric Carle, this heartwarming tale of enduring friendship provides a gentle way to talk with children about growing older. . . . This endearing tale of lasting friendship will not only appeal to young readers, but it also provides a positive depiction of aging.” — School Library Journal
| | |
| | My Dear Sea
by André Carrilho
Blue Dot Kids Press • April 2025 • 9798989858835
“Expertly rendered. . . . The direct, simple ideas and the beautifully imaginative artwork result in an affirming tale. A unique, delightful oceanic ode.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Youthful exuberance dominates this dynamically illustrated story. Carrilho’s execution of water is positively mesmerizing with its immersive mottled turquoise and inky dark blues. A lovely addition to a beach bag or a transportive pick for indoor types.” — Booklist
| | |
| | Giant
by Judith McQuoid
Little Island Books • June 2025 • 9781915071637
“McQuoid’s hopeful historical novel imagines the childhood of C.S. Lewis as seen through the eyes of Davy Caruth, the son of a Lewis family housekeeper. . . . [A] class-conscious ode to dreamers.” — Publishers Weekly
“McQuoid uses rich, carefully chosen details to evoke the historical setting. Notably, she compassionately shows the impact of social class constraints and personal hardships on each child without minimizing either of their experiences through simplistic comparisons. The evocative, often poetic, writing will appeal to thoughtful readers. A quietly charming, warmhearted story of enduring friendship.” — Kirkus Reviews
| | |
| |
“As much a lesson on the importance of consent education as it is an engrossing, bittersweet narrative.” — Booklist
| | |
| |
“This clever take on the age-old friction between parents and children when it comes to going to school paints a vivid picture of the challenges found in every environment. . . . Families with a child who is refusing to attend school may find some solace within the pages of this clever tale.” — School Library Journal
| | |
Now Available: The Consortium Fall/Winter 2025 Children's Catalog
| |
Featured Collections: Summer Books and Pride Month Picks
| |
|
