Review: My Rainy Day Rocket Ship by Markette Sheppard

When I got my hands on today's book, I had to smile. I'd just been wondering the last weeks, whether or not there was a picture book available, which explored the adventures of a kid building a space ship from a cardboard box. Obviously, someone out there heard my thoughts because...

Tadah! Here is a book about exactly that and it comes out May 5th! 

MY RAINY DAY ROCKET SHIP

by Markette Sheppard

Illustrated by Charly Palmer

Denene Millner Books

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING...

MAY 5th!!!

There are only so many puddles a child can jump in on a rainy day. A stormy afternoon and an order from Mom to stay inside are no match for this little dreamer, who uses everyday household items--a rocking chair, a cardboard box, an old dishrag, and his super-duper imagination--to whip up an indoor space adventure he won't soon forget. A spectacular launch into outer space ultimately lands him on a new planet called X-Y-Z, also known as B-E-D, in a faraway galaxy known as the Land of ZZZZZZs.

This rhythmic read-aloud is, on the surface, all about the soaring ingenuity of a child who refuses to let boredom outdo his inventiveness: he builds a rocket ship, designs his space gear, waves his flag, and uses his magical mind to take flight. Dig deeper and see a celebration of a little boy's imagination and all the ways he uses it to transform the mundane into the extraordinary and to dream out loud.

My Rainy Day Rocket Ship is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the imaginations of black boys who use their beautiful minds to boldly go where not even the sky is a limit.

BOOK DEPOSITORY   /    GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /    B&N    /    KOBO

BOOK BLINK

                                             * celebrates imagination

                                             * scenes from daily life

                                             * text very age appropriate

                                             * bold illustrations

MY TIDBITS

Rainy days turn into adventure in a brightly illustrated tale, which also slides nicely into the bedtime read category.

It's a rainy, boring day inside, but luckily, this kid has a nice stack of all sorts of things. After a few thoughts of what can be created, a rocket ship stand created and at the ready for adventure. And what an adventure it is!

The author did a wonderful job at keeping the text in this one perfect for the age group. There are just enough lines to let the adventure open up and bring each scene to life, but never too much. In other words, even more restless listeners can enjoy this one and let their imaginations take flight. Imagination is key in these pages, and this child shows how even simple, unimportant things can lead to tons of excitement. It's something listeners/readers will easily identify with and let inspiration hit for their own ideas. I especially appreciate the fact that it reminds the age group that there's fun to be found without digital means.

The illustrations in this one are bright and bold. They hold tons of artistry and still keep the portrayed images clear to what's going on. The swirls of colors and brush strokes do lay right along the say imaginative line, making for a nice mix. 

And here they are...

The Author...

Markette Sheppard is an Emmy Award–winning journalist and children’s book author. Her bestselling debut book, What Is Light?, inspired children to discover the light within through everyday surroundings. Markette is also founder of The GLOW Brands, LLC, a media company aimed at illuminating perspectives around the world. She earned a master of arts degree in interactive journalism from American University in Washington, DC, and a bachelor’s in communications and French from California State University Dominguez Hills. Markette lives in Maryland with her husband and son.

The Illustrator...

Charly Palmer, a graduate of the American Academy of Art, is a nationally recognized fine artist whose work is in private and public collections, including those of McDonald’s Corporation, the Coca-Cola Company, and Vanderbilt University. His illustrative work for Mama Africa! earned him the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator of the Year award. Palmer’s art is inspired by his children and grandchildren. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.