School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Gr 1–3 —This enchanting book cleverly combines science and etiquette in a delightful and educational package. With its charming narrative and captivating illustrations, it takes young readers on a cosmic journey to explore the mysteries of space while imparting valuable lessons on table manners. The story weaves the wonders of gravity in space with polite dining habits, making learning fun and engaging. Children are not only introduced to the basic principles of science but also encouraged to practice good behavior. The book showcases a diverse cast of characters, fostering inclusivity and emphasizing that these manners should be embraced by all. The colorful and playful illustrations perfectly complement the narrative, making it a visually appealing experience for kids. The combination of learning about space and good manners is both unique and effective, offering a well-rounded education—for anyone! VERDICT Great for educators or anyone looking to teach children essential life skills while sparking an interest in science. Heartwarming and informative, this is a stellar addition to any collection.—Jessica Calaway

ALA Booklist (Mon Nov 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

"Welcome to the space station," say the astronauts, inviting readers and listeners to enjoy eating without plates, a kitchen even gravity. Since floating bits of food can disable instrument panels, the individually packaged foods tend to be sticky enough to keep them on a fork or spoon. Once you've opened the pack, eat up, because "astronauts don't do leftovers." And don't expect bread (too many crumbs), but enjoy the alternative: tortillas. Look through the drink pouches for your favorite flavoring powder, then add water. "Every ounce of pee" counts, because "seriously high-tech filtration" turns it into water that's safe for drinking. Taylor selects facts likely to interest children and presents them in an easygoing, conversational style. Meanwhile, kids will learn a good deal from the nicely composed and beautifully colored illustrations, which show people floating in an environment that will be largely unfamiliar to the book's audience. The extensive backmatter offers more detailed information and color photos of astronauts enjoying food aboard the ISS. An enticing choice for kids who dream of space travel.

Horn Book

Tapping into a source of fascination for many kids, Taylor explores the complicated, potentially messy, and sometimes gross process of eating and drinking as an astronaut on a space station -- from what food choices are available and how they're prepared, to meal etiquette, to the practicalities of keeping one's food in the right place in a zero-gravity environment. Taylor's conversational tone means that asides about oddities like what happens to the trash or why it's bad to burp in space (more than just air comes back up your esophagus, oh no!) feel naturally incorporated. Lewis's digital art features crisp, energetic scenes of smiling astronauts and their meals floating through a carefully rendered space station, often focusing in on food-related details of the spacecraft such as the panel where astronauts attach food pouches for hydration. Extensive back matter includes sources, additional information on why space meals look the way they do today, further reading, and photos of real astronauts enjoying food on the International Space Station. Laura Koenig

Kirkus Reviews

Today's astronauts have way more culinary options than Tang and freeze-dried fare.Drawing from the experiences of astronauts at the International Space Station, Taylor addresses readers directly, as if they, too, were traveling in space. She describes the challenges of this environment (no grocery store, no kitchen, and no gravity). But, she makes clear, there will be many different kinds of food to choose from, including favorites from the astronauts' home countries. Taylor explains how to prepare the food and cope with the difficulties of eating. The process can be slow, and food may not seem as tasty, so readers might want hot sauce. Surprise treats may arrive on rockets sent from Earth. Astronauts can even grow some vegetables (saving some for research, of course). Water is carefully rationed and recycled over and over. Proper disposal of trash is vital. Digital artwork-as well as a final page with photographs of actual astronauts-shows diverse people preparing, eating, and cleaning up after their meals. These entertaining illustrations, both vignettes and full-page spreads, accompany short paragraphs. Although the text is presented as a list of instructions, the inviting, conversational tone will engage young readers, and the variety of foods on the menu today-from kimchi to curried pumpkin soup-may surprise them. More information, for more able readers, appears in the extensive backmatter.An appetizing guide to space-station dining. (resources, selected sources) (Informational picture book. 4-9)