Postcards from Pluto

Six lucky kids are off on a guided tour of the solar system — and readers get to tag along! Led by the robot guide, Dr. Quasar, the group journeys to the sun and then from Mercury down to Pluto. Dialogue balloons highlight some of the facts to be learned about each planet, but the real fun — and information — comes in the postcards the kids send to friends and family back home. Each postcard is presented "as written" and shines with the individuality of the sender in style, handwriting, and content. The addresses themselves are designed to provide laughs to those older readers (and adults) who are paying attention: a postcard about Neptune goes to Mr. Trident in Ocean City; one from Mars goes to Martin Greenman in Venice, FL. But the joy of this clever book can be shared by all — the simple paintings, in muted colors, show each planet suspended against a starry backdrop, evoking a quiet mystery that contrasts nicely with the whimsy of the story. Loreen Leedy is the creator of many other picture books that focus on science and math, including Blast Off to Earth! and Mission: Addition. Like those popular titles, Postcards from Pluto provides easy-to-understand information in a memorable format.