Rufus Blasts Off! - Hardcover

Griswell, Kim T.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1454920998 ISBN 13: 9781454920991

Publisher: Union Square Kids, 2017

Synopsis

“Perfect for fans of Where the Wild Things Are, as it too features a voyage by a kid who doesn’t play by the rules. A great storytime choice for young book lovers and adventurers.” —School Library Journal

“My name is Rufus Leroy Williams III. And I am ready to blast off."
"NO PIGS IN SPACE."

 Rufus the Pig has already sailed the seven seas on a pirate ship. Now he dreams of the Moon, the stars, and Mars! So he bids his mateys goodbye and reports for duty at the space center. But Commander Luna tells him: “No pigs in space!” Why? Because pigs pester the pilot, do loop-the-loops in the cabin, and always want to push buttons. Then Luna learns that she needs someone to read a book live from the Red Planet—or the mission is scrubbed. Will Rufus finally blast off? This third tale about the adventurous pig is sci-fi fantastic!

About this title

About the Author

 Kim T. Griswell spends her days developing and editing children’s books. Kim spent six years as coordinating editor of Highlights for Children and three more years as a Senior Editor for Highlights’ trade book publisher, Boyds Mills Press. Kim has taught writing workshops all over the country, including for the Highlights Foundation. She has published hundreds of short stories, articles, and columns in magazines and books. Kim is the author of two previous picture books about our intrepid pink hero: Rufus Goes to School and Rufus Goes to Sea (both published by Sterling and both Oregon Book Awards finalists). She lives in Ashland, OR and is available for interview. Visit Kim at kimgriswell.com, and on twitter at @kimgriswell.
 
Valeri Gorbachev emigrated from his native Ukraine to the US in 1991, and now lives in Brooklyn, NY. He has written and/or illustrated more than 50 children's books, including the first two Rufus stories, Rufus Goes to School and Rufus Goes to Sea (Sterling), as well as Turtle's Penguin Day and The Giant Hug by Sandra Horning (both Knopf).

Review

“Rufus the pig’s pirate shipmates are tired of all his books and want new stories. He comes up with a plan—he’ll find new tales in space!—but his voyage has a firm opponent. ‘No pigs in space,’ says Commander Luna, who has good reasons: pigs leave nose prints on the view screens. They do cabin loop-the-loops. And they always want to press the buttons. Rufus tries and tries to win the commander over, but it’s not until his reading skills are needed aboard that he finally blasts off. This amusing tale of a blankie-toting piglet will win over readers galore, even those who haven’t read Griswell’s and Gorbachev’s Rufus Goes to School and Rufus Goes to Sea. It is gorgeously accompanied by bright, whimsical watercolors of the little astronaut, illustrations in which kids will find plenty of details to point out and savor. Persistent kids will love the vindication here; the book is also perfect for fans of Where the Wild Things Are, as it too features a voyage by a kid who doesn’t play by the rules. VERDICT A great storytime choice for young book lovers and adventurers.” —School Library Journal

“Book-loving pig Rufus seeks extraterrestrial adventures in his third outing. . . . Rufus’s fans should be tickled.” —Publishers Weekly
 
“Those who love pigs, pirates, and planets are sure to be pleased.” —Kirkus Reviews

Persuasive pig Rufus Leroy Williams III shatters the porcine glass ceiling . . . Those who love pigs, pirates, and planets are sure to be pleased. (Kirkus Reviews)

About this edition

• Publisher: Union Square Kids
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1454920998
• ISBN 13: 9781454920991
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Gorbachev Valeri