HORNBOOK MAGAZINE
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For children with the vague idea that being an astronaut means hopping around on the moon in a bubble-headed space suit, McCarthy offers a more thorough job description. “Welcome to astronaut school!” begins her succinct, peppy text, which goes on to outline the rigorous training a would-be astronaut endures on land before shooting into space. Her round-eyed cartoon figures must pass fitness and endurance tests, such as swimming in a pool in their flight gear and camping in the wilderness. She lets readers know that not all astronauts perform the same tasks. (Some fly the space shuttle; others repair satellites, etc.) While her illustrations are simple overall, they contain a few detailed diagrams of important contraptions, including the ever-fascinating space shuttle toilet. The book’s back matter includes quirky tidbits about, among other things, the astronauts’ unique methods of bathing and the hazards of bread in space (“when bread is eaten or sliced, crumbs can flake off and harm sensitive equipment or float into an astronaut’s eye”). Atkins dieters, here’s the perfect career for you! c.m.h.

KIRKUS REVIEWS

“Welcome to astronaut school!” With this cheery salutation, McCarthy introduces eager readers to the specifics of astronaut training and what it’s like to go into space. “[D]ecide what kind of astronaut you want to be,” be it a pilot, scientist or satellite-repair technician, and then study; a now-trademark bug-eyed character sits in front of an elaborate contraption featuring flasks and tubes, glancing through goggles at a stack of books: Basic Russian, Physics, Aeronautics…. Survival training and exercises in teamwork lead to a trip in the “Vomit Comet” and then to outer space. The exhortatory text, peppered with exclamation points, clearly assumes a matching level of enthusiasm from its audience, which, if it wasn’t there to begin with, will surely rise to the occasion. Of especial interest to budding spacekids is an introduction to such critical equipment as space suit and space toilet, the latter complete with labeled thigh restraints and a “vacuum for solids.” So that’s what they do! Rounding out the cheery package are lists of truly “Fascinating Facts” and resources and places to visit. (Informational picture book. 5-8)

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

McCarthy’s signature bug-eyed characters return for another nonfiction excursion, this time for astronaut training. Addressed as “you,” readers join three men and one woman as they undergo numerous tests of intellectual and physical endurance. Ever mindful of what fascinates her audience, McCarthy (Aliens Are Coming!) also visits a space toilet (her diagram helpfully points out the “vacuum for solids” and “hose for liquids”) and devotes a spread to a ride on the legendary “Vomit Comet”—the airplane that NASA uses to give astronauts a momentary taste of weightlessness (the astronaut trainees remain unperturbed). The book signs off with a successful blastoff and a cheery, “Work hard and enjoy your time in space!” Bright, bold pictures and a wealth of information (including two full pages of facts and sources) take the place of Right Stuff bravado; this fare is strictly wholesome. Ages 5–8. (June)

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

K-Gr 3–McCarthy speaks directly to children who dream of someday “BLASTING into outer space,” inviting them to experience astronaut school with four aspiring recruits. Painted in a cartoon style, the three men and one woman have large saucerlike eyes and off-center smiles. The book gives a very real picture of the arduous training required before going into space. Full-color spreads done in acrylics on gessoed paper show authentic facilities like a swimming pool, a jet, and the Vomit Comet (a plane ride that allows passengers to experience weightlessness). The text and illustrations are simply done, and their very sparseness highlights important stages in astronaut preparation. A space suit and toilet are shown against white backgrounds, and their parts are clearly labeled. The space-shuttle liftoff, painted vertically, and images of the smiling characters in space capture the excitement of this ultimate adventure. The author includes a page of fascinating facts as well as a list of places to visit. This appealing book is sure to find a wide audience.–Mary JeanSmith, Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN


JOURNAL BOOK REVIEWERS
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Published: November 9, 2008Scientists must have dreamed up the space program during fall, when the moon hangs low enough that it seems touchable. The vivid shooting star we saw last week looked like a giant sparkler popping against the black sky. Crisp autumn nights emphasize how vivid the stars and moon are that beckon to future astronauts, just like these space-themed books we found for astronaut wannabes.
ASTRONAUT HANDBOOK. By Meghan McCarthy. Random House. Ages 5-8. $16.99.
This picture book reminds us of the Mission: SPACE ride at Epcot, a ride Hannah loved and her mother did not. Astronaut Handbook takes the reader through all of the steps necessary to become an astronaut. For example, it explains the 12 layers of a spacesuit and even covers such details as using the toilet in space. It offers thorough explanations for kids dreaming of a career in space travel. And unlike on the ride at Disney, you do not even feel queasy while reading!

NOTES FROM THE HORNBOOK

For some kids, only the facts will do. Meghan McCarthy excels at picture book nonfiction, and her Astronaut Handbook explains clearly and invitingly just how astronauts get trained, what they do, and what they wear. She’s even clear on the drawbacks: “It’s best to like small spaces.” Warm and well-detailed pictures demonstrate that the career is open to all regardless of gender or race. (5–8 years) Astronaut Handbook, by Meghan McCarthy (Knopf; 40 pages; $16.99; ages 5-8) What is the "right stuff"? This crash course tells what guys and gals must have before the countdown - mental and physical fitness, cooperative spirit, courage and patience. They also need to select menu items and get fit for a spacesuit. The googly-eyed astronauts look as if they are having a blast. COLUMBUS PARENT MAGAZINEFamily media
Adventures for all ages


COLUMBUS PARENT MAGAZINE
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By Reviews written by George Morrison, Library Assistant
Dublin Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library
Welcome to astronaut school, space cadets! Learn about different kinds of astronauts, what they eat in space, and what it takes to become an astronaut. See if you have what it takes to see the world from outer space. Ages 5-10.

MOORESVILLE TRIBUNE

Holiday books: Young readers
Susan Faust
Sunday, November 23, 2008Astronaut Handbook, by Meghan McCarthy (Knopf; 40 pages; $16.99; ages 5-8) What is the "right stuff"? This crash course tells what guys and gals must have before the countdown - mental and physical fitness, cooperative spirit, courage and patience. They also need to select menu items and get fit for a spacesuit. The googly-eyed astronauts look as if they are having a blast.

THE FREE LANCE STAR

Books make classic gifts, and this is an ideal time to give them

FL–S Customer Care Local children's librarian recommends books for holiday givingDate published: 12/2/2008"Astronaut Handbook" by Meghan McCarthy ($16.99, ages 5-9). So you want to be an astronaut? Author-illustrator McCarthy shows kids what they need to do.Cartoony illustrations show a smiling quartet of youngsters enjoying every moment of their training, while the detailed illustration of a space toilet answers the question every child has about life in space.Back matter offers tidbits of information (did you know it's dangerous to eat bread in space?) and a list of astronaut places to visit, two of them here in Virginia.

THE DAILY JOURNAL

Establish reading habits in kids

Submitted by Journal Staff on October 16, 2008
After exploring so much on planet Earth, you will definitely want to find out if you have what it takes to become an astronaut. The Astronaut Handbook by Meghan McCarthy is a look at the training and requirements to become an astronaut as drawn and written by someone who built her first spaceship at age 6.

THE CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW

July 16, 2008The first thing that appealed to me about the Astronaut Handbook, by Meghan McCarthy, was certainly the illustrations. The cover of the handbook shows super cute astronauts wearing bright orange suits holding onto their helmets - it really stood out on the store display. I immediately picked it up and started reading to find out if I had what it took to become an astronaut - I'd like to think that I do!McCarthy's handbook gives a kid friendly and informative look into the training of an astronaut. The highlights for me - and not surprising to those of you who know me - were: the 'Vomit Comet' (a weightless activity), learning that a space suit weighs 280 pounds on earth, and the detailed and labeled illustration of the toilet. Among all of the information McCarthy provides, the reader learns that to have this dream come true one has to study hard, exercise, be able to work as a team, and be prepared to use the strange potty on board the tightly spaced space shuttle (not recommended for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia) - but of course it would all be totally worth it when you get to eat the freeze-dried space-food ice cream! The handbook finishes with a bunch of very interesting facts, including web sites to visit and places to see - of course I was hooked by the facts when I discovered additional information about other toilet stuff, but I don't want to spoil all the fun, so go and read it for yourself. I highly recommend this for any young boy or girl, 4 - 8yrs old, who ever dreams of being an astronaut or enjoys learning about space.Links: Check out Meghan McCarthy's website, there are some great astronaut videos to watch (including more about the toilet) and a craft activity where you learn to make your own rocket.

BOOKLIST
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“Welcome to astronaut school!” So begins McCarthy’s jaunty, informative exploration of the nature and
scope of space-travel preparation. Readers follow four aspiring astronauts from classroom to cockpit as
they focus, study, practice, and ultimately take off. McCarthy applies a light, comic tone to the subject,
reflected in her simple, expressive, cartoony acrylic paintings. Whether trapped in a dark, double-page
spread littered with test tubes and textbooks or floating weightlessly aboard the “Vomit Comet,” her
relatable, unflappable space students commit to their study with suitable duty and good humor. McCarthy
introduces the paraphernalia of rocket travel with a corollary, direct humor that understands and respects
its audience. A diagram of a space toilet includes the vacuum for solids, hose for liquids, and thigh
restraints. Indeed, content, narrative, and style are perfectly matched to one another here, and to the legions
of curious youngsters to whom the constructive fun is aimed.
— Thom Barthelmess

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