Flaps and pull-tabs in assorted astro-scenes reveal several wonders of the universe as well as inside glimpses of observatories, rockets, a space suit, and the International Space Station.Interactive features include a spinnable Milky Way, pop-up launches of Ariane and Soyuz rockets, a solar-system tour, visits to the surfaces of the moon and Mars, and cutaway views beneath long, thin flaps of an international array of launch vehicles. Despite these bells and whistles, this import is far from ready for liftoff. Not only has Antarctica somehow gone missing from the pop-up globe, but Baumann's commentary (at least in Booker's translation from the French original) shows more enthusiasm than strict attention to accuracy. Both Mercury and Venus are designated "hottest planet" (right answer: Venus); claims that there is no gravity in space and that black holes are a type of star are at best simplistic; and "we do not know what [other galaxies] actually look like" is nonsensical. Moreover, in a clumsy attempt to diversify the cast on a spread about astronaut training, Latyk gives an (evidently) Asian figure caricatured slit eyes and yellow skin. A launch-pad fizzle. (Informational pop-up picture book. 7-9)

Outfitted with tabs, flaps, wheels, and pop-ups, this companion to The Ultimate Book of Vehicles and The Ultimate Construction Site Book gives readers a speedy tour of the night sky, space travel, the solar system, and. Flaps let readers peek under the nose cones of various rockets, and a lift-out spiral emphasizes the shape of the Milky Way galaxy. A spread covering the solar system is less successful: the planets are mostly drawn to scale, but the distance between their orbits is not-perhaps necessary given the space available, but still somewhat misleading. Even so, the interactive features, vivid illustrations, and wealth of detail will keep many space fans happy. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)

K-Gr 4 Open this pop-up book to take a journey through the solar system, identify stars in the night sky, and even learn about the types of rockets that get astronauts (and needed supplies) to the International Space Station. The small flaps on each page open to facts about equipment used in space walks and more. Kids can follow the chapters in order or jump from "Landing on the Moon and Mars" to "The Milky Way." Though the material covered is not in-depth, it is current and includes Pluto as part of the Kuiper belt rather than as a main planet of the solar system. With clear, vivid illustrations, this selection is more a conversation starter about space exploration than a go-to text for a science report. The low contrast of the font in a few sections, along with the size of the flaps, makes this title better suited for an older audience. The amazing spiral pop-out section on the universe depicts the magnitude of the solar system in a tactile way that will build a better mental image in readers' minds of Earth's place in the universe. VERDICT A fun book to ignite curiosity about the solar system. Karen Ginman, BookOps: The New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library