Based on a (Partially) True Story (Paula Wiseman Books)

It is also interesting from an adult perspective because Mark Kelly explains the background of his idea for the book and relates it to his own experence. Also the book has interesting facts about NASA and the space program.

Astronaut Mark Kelly has crafted a charming tale (or should that be, "tail") inspired by the mice that flew with him on his first spaceflight, mission STS-108 on space shuttle Endeavour in 2001. Together with illustrator C.F. Payne's wonderful images, "Mousetronaut" should launch kids' dreams of floating in space.

"Mousetronaut" looks to be a great way to introduce young children to the concept of spaceflight and how teamwork is the "key" to mission success.

Hopefully, this will be the first of many space adventures for Meteor, the Mousetronaut.

A space mission is getting ready to leave, and everyone is excited. Along with all the astronauts, six mice will get to go on the mission as well. Meteor is the smallest of the mice, and he really wants to go on the mission so he has been working really hard. When it is time to decide, five of the biggest and strongest mice are chosen, but because of his hard work so is Meteor.

During the space mission the key to the control panel gets stuck in a crack. None of the astronauts can get it out, but Meteor is small and wants to be helpful. Will Meteor save the mission?

Mousetronaut is perfect for the budding astronaut with striking illustrations and a fun storyline. Written by Astronaut Mark Kelly, Mousetronaut is inspired by one of the mice on his first mission in space aboard the Endeavour in 2001. Included at the end of the book is a brief afterword by Mark Kelly that includes a brief history of the space program and life as an astronaut.

Recommended for readers age 4-8.

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The sweetest little picture book, about Meteor the Mouse, one of a rodent team of, uh, mission specialists on board a space shuttle mission who saves the day. At the end Kelly includes an afterword with a brief history of NASA and lots of fun details about travel in space.

"During my first flight in 2001, there were eighteen mice on board. All of them, with one exception, clung to inside of the mesh during the entire mission. One mouse, smaller than the rest, seemed to enjoy the experience and effortlessly floated around the cage. The story of Mousetronaut is inspired by that mission. We all watched him as he enjoyed the feeling of being weightless. I started to think about that mouse and what it would be like to have him as part of our crew."

The illustrations are just marvelous (lovelovelove the one of Meteor squeezing in between the control panels to get the key, and the one of him in his space suit), and you know the details are right. Any kid of any age will enjoy this book, and more importantly, no adult will be bored with having to read it 9 times in a row to his kid.

The illustrator really did a wonderful job with the very weak material he was given. Beyond that, the story is not very interesting at all and the writing is incredibly bland. The plot hinges on the "key to the control panel" being wedged between some equipment. There's no explanation to the readers as to why this is an urgent matter. The commander simply states, "This isn't good." Wow. Riveting. There's really no cause for suspense or excitement at all in reading this book. It's a shame. This is a mouse going into space, people! Where's the thrill and adventure? Once again, I'm reminded that the "#1 New York Times Bestseller" label rarely means that quality will be found behind the cover.

Written by former astronaut Mike Kelly, the almost true story of Mousetronaut is a wonderfully illustrated underdog story. The littlest mouse is included on a space adventure even though he isn't the biggest and strongest. He was noticed because he worked hard! In the end, his size is exactly what is needed to solve a critical problem on board. A great story for one of those days when your child is frustrated by being little!

I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 because it felt like the story should have been flushed out more. Surely it was a compromise to keep the interest of the younger audiences. The illustrations add the depth (5 stars there!), but I found I had to add quite a bit when reading to get at what was really happening and how the characters felt.

I bought this book after hearing the author's Mother-in-Law read it at Singing Winds Bookshop. I love it that the smallest mouse was the hero. It has some very good character lesssons. The mouse prepares even though he knows he is not likely to be chosen because of his small size. He impresses a crew member by his hard work. The illustrations wonderful and really compliment this cute story. I enjoyed the history of space travel given in the afterword. Great book to give as a Christmas present!
Barbara Anne Waite- Author Memoir" Elsie-Adventures of an Arizona Schoolteacher 1913-1916"

"Mousetronaut" is a book about a mouse called Meteor. The mouse is smaller than the other mice. He gets to go up in the space shuttle and helps the astronauts in the space shuttle.

I think other kids would enjoy this book because it is about space shuttles. Other kids would like space shuttles.

My favorite part was when Meteor gets to come out of his cage and gets a tour of the space shuttle.

Review by Young Mensan Bram P., age 4

3 year old grandson is space crazy. This book has fun story line but not really much about space. He was worried that astronauts did not have helmets on in spaceship. Correct, but hard to explain. Many illustrations are of mostly white male astronauts observing mouse hero. Only one two page showed a space walk. This is a feel good story about a mouse (Meteor) saving the day.

My five year old loves this book. The illustrations are great and the story is fun. Recently, we were at the grandparents' reading one of my old books and found that the term "mousetronaut" was used as early as 1964 in another book about a mouse in space: http://www.the store.com/Muggins-Takes-Off-Barrows

Based partially on a real NASA mission, Mark Kelly tells the story of a small mouse sent up in the space shuttle.

Just because you are the smallest of all the mice does not mean that your hard work will not be noticed, so when Meteor is chosen he relishes his mission. While the other larger mice are scared, Meteor loves the weightlessness and his fellow astronauts.

As the astronauts are busy with their tasks during the flight, Meteor wonders what he can do to help.

Then the time comes, the crew encounters a problem that only the smallest of them can handle. Squeezing his way into a dark and cramped space, Meteor retrieves a very important key that will save the mission.

Back on Earth and with a job well done - Meteor becomes an official Mousetronaut.

It is a cute story, not overly fascinating for the adult reader, but your young one might be interested in the space aspect of the book.

There is an afterward for the older reader, explaining where Mark Kelly came up with the idea for the book and background information on the history of space flight. Personally, I found this more interesting and think that your 4th+ graders would be fascinated in this part of the story.

A very cute story with great pictures. Another great addition to our collection of science and space books. Always nice to have some fiction books about space to mix in with the nonfiction and keep children excited about learning. Great quality book and the price was fantastic. Wide range of ages so this book will be enjoyed for years to come. Satisfied with this purchase.