Written & Illustrated by: Ken Wilson-Max

For ages: 3-8 years

Language: English

Topics Covered: STEM, Space, Astronauts, Family, Self-Confidence, POC-Centric Narratives. 

Summary: 

Astrid LOVES space, and everything about being an astronaut.  Her dad asks her some questions about aspects of space travel and she is filled with confidence about being up to the task.  The relationship that Astrid and her father have is adorable, it is filled with happiness and giggles.  Throughout the book we don’t see Astrid’s mother, but at the very end the pair gets into the car to go pick her up.

This is just an incredibly sweet and happy book.  It depicts a loving family, and Astrid has a confidence that is adorable to witness.  In the back is information all about women astronauts and a few facts about space.  This is a great book for young readers, especially space enthusiasts!

This book was sent to us by the Candlewick Press, but all opinions are our own!

About the Author & Illustrator:

Ken Wilson-Max “was born and raised in Zimbabwe, where I trained to be a graphic designer, with a strong focus on critical thinking and creative direction. My approach to graphic design and communication problem-solving has not changed much, but along the way, I observed how similar people are, whether they are learning to read, or running large corporations. I am an information designer, a storyteller, if you like, who can make any type of information accessible to any type of audience.

I travelled to the UK to study design and ended up working in children’s publishing as a book designer.  After a decade designing books for children and young adults, I showed a set of ideas to publishers for a series of books about vehicles. So then I became a children’s author and illustrator as well.

I love working with children and teachers because I learn so much. This helps my work get better, as my specialty is bringing out the emotional connections between people. I have always believed that people are more similar than different and that is worth celebrating. I have also seen over the last few decades how much better it is for children of all backgrounds to see themselves in books.

Since 2017 I’ve been running an independent publishing company creating and producing naturally inclusive books for very young children called Alanna Max. “