A cute story that can help activate "what if"s and getting kids comfortable with asking questions (Like they need a lot of help ANYWAY). Imagination and science.


Downloaded through Netgalley in exchange for a review :)

This is a fun, well-illustrated adventure that will appeal most to young children who are naturally curious about the big moon they see up in the sky. This little mouse take his mum seriously when she tells him the moon is made from stinky cheese. I liked the fact that the little mouse used his own imagination and resources to engineer his own rocket. The ending was clever, with the mouse seeing the reflection of the moon in a pond. I did feel that there was a bit too much text per page for young readers, and it may have been better in a 32 page book.

Review: ASTROMOUSE by Steve Smallman

A heartwarming tale for young children and early readers, starring a young and adventurous mouse and his devoted mother. He spies the full moon and when his mother tells him it is made of cheese--his favorite food is stinky cheese--he wants to go see, and taste, for himself. Text is accompanied by delightful illustrations.

A sweet children's book that was beautifully illustrated. A young mouse named Pip learns that the mouse is made of cheese, and his mind is made up -- He has to find a way to get on the moon! A lovely story of chasing your dreams, being creative, and finding a solution. A feel good book that made you smile. The illustrations were colorful and cheerful. A lovely addition to any home library.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I truly appreciate it!

A nice little storyline with beautiful illustrations that the kids will love. Would definitely recommend this book.

Adorable. It may inspire STEM careers, and adults can talk with kids about why Astromouse’s attempts at getting to the moon are silly.

This is a fun, well-illustrated adventure that sees a young mouse wanting to travel to the moon. Pip take his mum seriously when she tells him the moon is made from cheese. His favorite food is stinky cheese, so he wants to go. Every roadblock set in his way are overcome until the end. I liked the fact that Pip used his own imagination and resources to come up with his astronaut suit, rocket and launch pad. The ending was clever, helping Pip decide that he wanted to stay home. I loved the large, colourful and fun illustrations. The end of the book has suggestions for extending learning. I think the idea of "what if" will get kids thinking and imagining. A very cute story for primary students

I chose to read this book purely on the basis that the cover image is exactly the sort of book I would have chosen way back when I was in the target age bracket for this book. It reminded me (as do many of the book's illustrations) of the sort of films I loved as a kid like Fieval Goes West, Basil the Great Mouse Detective and The Rescuers. I think the early 1990's childhood version of myself would have been happy with this book choice. It's a nice little story with some adventure and exploration. Exactly what I would have wanted from a book.

Nowadays, as a teacher approaching this book, my main preoccupations are how it could be used with a class or a group of children. I am happy then to be able to say that this book would definitely be of use in class.

There's a range of topics this book could help with from design and technology (design your own spaceship?) to science and maths (space, transport and there's even a lovely image relating to reflection - brings to mind the fable of a greedy dog and a bone seeing its own reflection actually).

So, this book would ordinarily get 4 stars for being useful, interesting and a definite must have for KS1 classrooms. However, it sneaks in a bonus star for its final page. It ends with ideas for comprehension questions, ideas for inspiring writing and even a plan for an art lesson follow up. That's a feature always appreciated in books for educators!

This is a cute adventure of a mouse that will appeal most to young children who love the outer space and animal tales. This baby mouse take his mother at face value when she tells him the moon is made from stinky cheese. He figures out how to make his own rocket, as he has decided to live on the moon, you know, the cheese and all. It doesn’t work out well for the little mouse, as he crashes and sees the reflection of the moon in the pond. After tasting the “moon”, which tastes like pond scum, he decides he likes living where he is from. An added feature to the book is extending activities for young children. There was too much text per page on my ebook for young readers, but that could be formatting. I think it would be better in a book that is less text per page and more illustrations.

A solid four stars for this cute story.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for a pre-publication ebook in exchange for an honest review.

As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews, I request children’s books to read to my grandkids before bedtime. I gauge my review on how attentive they are and how they respond. Both kids, 4 and 6, loved the book and listened quietly whilst the story unfolded. A beautifully illustrated book which tells the story of an inquisitive mouse and his quest to get to taste the cheese on the moon. A highly recommended read for kids.

Astromouse is a children's book that's written and illustrated by Steve Smallman.

Within twenty-four pages, this fiction book focuses on Pip the Mouse, as he decides to become an astromouse to travel to the moon. And Pip has plenty of entertaining adventures along the way.

There are cute illustrations interspersed throughout the story. In the back of book, there's a Next Steps section with discussion questions and activity suggestions to accompany the story.

Astromouse is a geared toward young children, particularly ages four to six.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

When Pip tells his mom that he thinks he sees a mouse on the moon, she isn't surprised since many people say the moon is made of cheese. Since Pip loves stinky cheese, he's determined to be an astromouse and fly to the moon. He makes a rocket (of sorts) and tries to take off, but things don't go quite right.

On his way back home he sees the moon's reflection in a pond. He's sure the moon has come to see him since he couldn't make it there. He leans over to smell the moon. Ugh, it smells like pond water. Suddenly the eyes of a large frog appear and frighten Pip. Will he still be determined to visit the moon after that scare?

Cons: The story was fine, but I was distracted by the text which didn't feel tight.

Pros:  Pip's attempts to reach the moon should delight children. The illustrations are detailed and extremely cute.

This is a lovely book that would be very useful to extend children’s thinking as part of a topic on space or travel. The mice characters are very engaging and sure to appeal to young children. The book includes reading comprehension questions and suggested activity ideas. These are useful, ( and I’m definitely trying the recipe for moon paint), but I think there would also be considerable scope for problem solving and Design and Technology activities. I would use this at the start of a topic, as part of a ‘Knowledge Harvest’ to find out what children already know about space and explore their thinking about space travel.

A sweet story to include in your class library and share aloud during your space unit, Astromouse discovers the moon and wants to get a closer look! He builds his own rocket and then creates a launching pad but just can't get to the moon. But suddenly he realizes the moon has come to him! What will Pip do now? Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #Storytime:Astromouse by Steve Smallman.

A sweet story about a mouse who believes the moon is made of cheese and sets off on a discovery to find out. An easy read for the little ones and a perfect bedtime story.

On the surface many might think that Astromouse is just a "nice" bedtime story but there are some subtle themes running through the book. The most prominent of these is the character of Pip with both his problem solving and persistence.

In terms of problem solving, Pip's mother does show him during the story that to get to the moon he would need a rocket like an astronaut (thus the title Astromouse). However, it is Pip that decides what he is going to try and have a go at to reach his goal.

Likewise with his persistence, Pip doesn't give up on the idea of going to the moon even after he has a couple of failed attempts (such as running up the biggest hill and building a rocket). Because Pip tries again and again this would would be ideal for use in the classroom at the beginning of the school year when you start discussing about persistent behaviour or "bouncing back".

Homeschoolers and parents can also embrace this book for taking the thinking out of the teaching by providing a full page of discussion questions and thoughts at the back of the book.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book and my kids did love it as well.

Kind of cute story of a little mouse who wants to go to the moon to see if it's made of stink cheese! I think littles and first readers might enjoy this tale, especially if they are interested in going to visit the moon someday!

Both of my children (aged five and two) really liked this book. It has a simple story, of Pip the mouse and his quest to get to the moon (which is made of stinky cheese)

It has lovely gentle illustrations and matching text placement throughout the book, which makes it really appealing to read. The book has a great moral to it, about trying to achieve a goal even though it seems tricky. My five year old picked up on this theme, which led to a great discussion afterwards.

Astromouse is a cute book. It is only 13 pages long so would make a great bedtime story for the little ones. Steve Smallman has done a great job with the story. The illustrations throughout the book are great as well and really catches the kids attention as well as telling the story in ictures.

In the book we meet Pip. Pip is a mouse. On the night of a full moon Pip questions Mother Mouse about the moon and decides he want to go to the moon to live. I mean after all it is made of Stinky Cheese. The next day Pip makes himself a space ship to fly to the moon in. The ship crashes but Pip sees the moon in the pond. He just knows the moon has come to visit him, since he cannot get to the moon.

At the end of the book their are some discussion questions you can talk to with your ids about the book.

I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

Pip is a mouse, One night he thinks he spots a mouse in the moon, and when his mum tells him people say the moon of cheese he’s determined to visit one day! He becomes and Astromouse and builds a rocket. But his journey is filled with challenges. Will he ever reach the moon and what will he find if he gets there?

I thought this was a great little story of imagination and adventure. I thought it was great that the traditional tales of the man in the moon Andy it being made of cheese were brought into this story, and with a mouse’s love of cheese the characters being mice felt like a small stroke of genius! After all if you were a mouse wouldn’t you want to taste the moon?!

I’ll certainly be trying to find a way to use this book in the classroom as it has great potential for predictions, retelling, innovating and comparing stories. It also has some ideas in the back for next steps to use with children, so would be great for supply teaching or days you need a simple project in the classroom on Space!

I've always loved to draw. I used to spend hours as a child copying cartoons from comic books or pictures of animals from encyclopaedias. I remember when I was about 10, painting a picture of a man fishing and being so engrossed in it that I didn't notice that the house was on fire!
At one point I thought that I might like to be zookeeper so that I could work with the animals all day and draw them in my lunch break. When I was 17 my careers teacher at school suggested that I might like to be an artist instead. I could still draw and paint the animals but I wouldn't have to shovel any poo! It was a moment of revelation to me. It had never occurred to me before that you could get paid for something that you did as a hobby!

I decided to go to art college (Cambridge College of Art and Technology) where one of my tutors was the brilliant Colin McNaughton who inspired me to become a children's book illustrator. I was lucky enough to be commissioned to illustrate my first 4 books while I was still at college and over the next twenty years did illustrations for books, comics, magazines, licensed products and for television programmes; most notably 'The Raggy Dolls' (ask your Mum!)



Then I decided to have a go at writing. I'd written a few very short reading scheme stories as part of an illustration project. They had gone down well so I tried my hand at writing a picture book.
It was called, 'The Lamb Who Came To Dinner' which was published by Little Tiger Press in 2006 and was shortlisted for The Red House Book Awards, Commended in the Sheffield Children's Book Awards, translated into several different languages, turned into a theatre play in Sweden and read on TV by Meatloaf. I've now written over 50 books with more on the way.



Nowadays I spend a lot of time visiting schools, libraries and festivals. I love reading my stories and drawing pictures to a live audience. I also paint murals in schools, libraries and homes (even dog's homes).
I am so lucky that I get to do all these fun things, call it my 'work' and get paid for it too! It certainly doesn't feel like a 'proper job'.

I've been married since 1980 to my wonderful wife Ann who deserves a medal for putting up with me for so long. We have 4 great children who are all grown up now but my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing as do our 7 adorable, energetic, hilarious and exhausting grandchildren.

Any child who has ever pretended to be an astronaut and imagined flying to the moon will love Astromouse, a story about a little mouse who thinks the moon is made of his favourite food – stinky cheese – and builds a rocket to try to fly to it.

The excitement and determination of little Pip the Astromouse and his use of life-size building materials such as a toilet roll tube and a roller skate (which are huge compared to him) are delightful.

The beautiful pastel colours and varied arrangement of illustrations as well as the desire to find out whether Pip will actually make it to the moon will keep the reader excitedly turning the pages until the end.

An additional bonus is a page of discussion and comprehension questions and activity suggestions that would be perfect for at home or in a classroom setting.

My son enjoyed this book especially that the mouse thought the moon looked like cheese. The story was good with lots of imaginative language. The pictures were clear and went well with the language of the book. The story gave you opportunities to stop and quess what will happen next before going on with the story. I liked that there was questions at the end to discuss the book with your child plus ideas for things to do. A lovely book!

A baby mouse totally buys it when told the moon is made of cheese, and instantly decides he wants to go there. He doesn’t think it through. In the end he figures things are just fine the way they are.
It’s a pretty cute story, amusingly told. Not the twists one would expect at the end, even though the ending itself was never in question. The artwork and syntax make this a good bet for pre-kinders.

4★
When Pip shows his mother there's a mouse on the moon, she can't see it, but she does says she's not surprised, because people say it's made of cheese. CHEESE? Stinky cheese? Pip gets excited.

[My Goodreads review includes an illustration: Pip looks longingly at the mouse on the moon.]

He wants to get up there to that wonderful stinky cheese, so Mum explains that he will need to be an astronaut. Pip wants to know more, so Mum shows him a book about astronauts.

He gets some things together and makes himself not only a space suit, but also a rocket ship. (How many things do you think have been made over the years with colanders, funnels, and cardboard tubes?)


[My Goodreads review includes an illustration: Pip and his suit and rocket ]

Of course, he still has to launch it somehow. He thinks he can reach the moon from the top of the next hill, but he's going to have to get down this hill and up the next. Aha! A roller skate!


[My Goodreads review includes an illustration: Astromouse Pip, ready to roll and launch!]

He comes a cropper at the bottom (no mice were hurt in the production of this book, I feel pretty certain), but he's fooled by a reflection and thinks the moon has come down to the pond. He reaches for a piece of "cheese", but a frog pops up instead!!

A race home to Mum and a much-needed hug!

Cute, fun, and nice to see kids encouraged to make contraptions out of handy household items. (Apologies to all the cooks who can't find their funnels!) There is also an activity section at the back of the book to suggest questions and discussion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing/QEB for the preview copy from which I've shared the pictures.

Storytime: Astromouse by Steve Smallman
Publisher: QEB Publishing
ISBN: 9781682973813

Thanks to NetGalley and QEB Publishing for the ebook ARC of Astromouse by Steve Smallman.

Pip the mouse learns that the moon is made of stinky cheese, he has a big idea - he’s going to be an Astromouse.

He makes himself a rocket out of an old funnel and cardboard, and prepares himself for take - off. But blasting off is harder than he thought and things don’t go as planned.

On his way home, he sees the reflection of the moon in a pond. The moon has come to him! He reaches down to break off a piece of the stinky cheese, the eyes of a large frog appears and a frightened Pip runs all the way back home.

Pip decides the moon is far too scary for a mouse, and he’d much rather live with his mum instead.

I give this book a rating of 4 stars. I read it to my 4 year old daughter and she enjoyed it. It was a fun and quick read with cute and colourful illustrations.

#Storytime:Astromouse #NetGalley

I loved this story of a little mouse who wanted nothing more than to go to the moon. He tried everything, never quite succeeding. As he sadly made his way home, Mouse makes a discovery and then realizes that home isn't so bad after all.
I loved the story and appreciated the follow up questions and activities in the back pages.

This was such an adorable book. Pip wants to live on the moon because he thinks it’s made of stinky cheese - his favorite! But he will need to be an astronaut, have a spaceship and some way to get it up. This book shows a clever little mouse thinking through all the steps to get what he wants. And when it fails he does not give, up, but keeps trying. I love the message, the story, and the illustration. However - to the publisher: Next Steps are not needed! Plus any good book club leader knows that the first question you ask a group of readers is is they liked the book. You ask all the other questions first, and save that one for last. But once again, this page is not needed. Sometimes you just have to let the story speak for itself.

Very cute children's story about a mouse that wants to go to the moon after his mom tells him it's made of stinky cheese. Will definitely be a hit when my daughter is a little older and excited about making things out of extra household stuff.

Do you have a little one that enjoys storytime? How about story time at bedtime? Now, add enjoy space and cute little mice then this is the book for you. If your little one even enjoys any of this book is a must. It is a cute story with beautiful illustrations. But, wait you might think it is only for the younger group. Nope -- the little group will enjoy listening to this cute story and the older group will enjoy reading this story on their own too. It is full of imagination and a great story for readers eager to read on their own around second maybe. A nice little storytime book we recommend. There are some nice Discussion and comprehension elements at the end too.

This is a cute story about a mouse who wants to go to the moon. I reminds me of that stage that all little children go through where they wonder what the moon is made of, how far away it is (it looks so close!) and if they can go to it. I liked the illustrations more than the words.