The Spaceman by Randy Cecil

The Spaceman by Randy Cecil. Candlewick Press, 2024. 9781536226164  
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Format: Hardcover picture book
What did you like about the book? A tiny little spaceman travels around collecting soil samples, one planet at a time and moving on. He is astounded when he lands on a planet that has beautiful flowers.  It also has a thief (large black bird) that steals his spaceship!  Oh no! He must find it. He sees still more beautiful specimens. But a hideous beast (dog) comes after him and away he runs. Slowly the dark is disappearing; strange beings appear, a butterfly, a snail, bugs. He grabs onto a butterfly, flying high to see more beings: birds, different colored butterflies and flying insects.  Falling from the butterfly into a pond, he is rescued by the terrible beast (dog). He likes it here! He spies his spaceship on the limb of a tree.  Should he go home?
This totally charming story is illustrated in oil.  The pictures are simple, sweet, funny and filled with kid appeal. Pretty irresistible.
Anything you did not like about the book? No.
To whom would you recommend this book? For those who like all Randy Cecil books, particularly Lucy and Douglas.
Who should buy this book? Public and K-1 libraries, day-care centers
Where would you shelve it? Picture books
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? If you love Randy Cecil books, yes.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review
Date of Review:  May 8, 2024