Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

In the children's picture book We're Going on a Space Adventure by Marie Nichols, a young boy named Bracken welcomes his grandmother to the front yard, where he shows her his very own homemade spaceship. Together, they get in and blast off, making their way through the solar system, visiting the Moon, Mars, and the space surrounding Jupiter. Each landing brings new issues, including unfamiliar sounds, moving creatures, and unexpected obstacles that require quick decisions. When the spacecraft enters an asteroid belt, Bracken and his grandmother must work together to turn back toward Earth. At its heart, this is the story of a child and grandparent using imagination, cooperation, and problem-solving in a space adventure that is full of surprises and a desire to continue playing together going forward.

We’re Going on a Space Adventure by Marie Nichols is an imaginative children’s book that treats space travel as an extension of play and trust between a child and his grandmother. I especially like how the story moves from a boxy space shuttle sitting on the grass to a sleek rocket powering through space. My absolute favorite part is that Nichols gives the grandmother an active role in a genre that usually relegates them to general advice given in the kitchen or on a park bench, instead presenting her agility and tactical wisdom as central to each situation, not limiting her to background support. Bracken is written as likable and courageous, showing initiative while still relying on teamwork. Penny Weber’s illustrations are fantastic, featuring alien monsters with a whimsical cartoon quality and a space atmosphere that feels textured and wonderful, using a palette of soft earth and jewel tones that complement the story’s sense of play. Overall, this is a worthy addition to the bedtime routine and a fun read.