School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

K-Gr 4— This wordless graphic novel takes readers on a poignant journey as a young space explorer lands on Earth and discovers what's left of a once thriving community after a catastrophic environmental event. With wonder and curiosity, the extraterrestrial child uncovers a stereoscopic viewfinder filled with pictures of a vibrant but long-gone society. Roaming through empty and crumbling landmarks, the protagonist pieces together the town's past through sepia-tone photographs taken by the viewfinder's original owner, who was clearly a child much like themself. As luminous, expressive illustrations take the explorer from one curiosity to another, readers are invited to ponder how our world might appear to an outsider, and consider the stories told by our buildings and treasured objects. While the narrative is imbued with a sense of loss, the softly rounded artwork rendered in pastel hues casts an optimistic tone. The story concludes on a hopeful note that affirms the importance of connection and resilience as the space explorer wraps up their mission and returns to their family. VERDICT Striking a balance between whimsical adventure and wistful contemplation, this title underscores the beauty and fragility of life on our planet. A first purchase for youth graphic novel collections.— Allison Tran

ALA Booklist (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A young space explorer's visit to Earth reveals an abandoned civilization; a time capsule's toy stereoscope displays scenes of busy people pausing at an environmental alert. Sepia-toned images showing translucent orbs drifting downward as the humans board spaceships are interspersed with scenes of the helmeted traveler's avid exploration of this world e wistfully observes abandoned wonders at a train station, a museum, a library, everything now speckled with glowing mushrooms. But encounters with creatures living unperturbed by the fungus inquisitive mouse, some helpful monkeys, a friendly housecat assure her about this world's future before she takes off for her home planet. In this captivating graphic novel debut, the accomplished author-illustrator duo (lifelong friends) demonstrate their exceptional skills as visual storytellers, as this wordless visionary adventure winds through an investigation of an unknown, yet familiar, world. Deftly paced paneling builds to dramatic reveals of gorgeous scenes rendered in glowing colors and exquisitely observed detail. Young readers will be transported by this sensitive and imaginative take on the evolution of our planet's ecosystem.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Chung and Majoka’s wordless, fluidly rendered debut graphic novel stars a young astronaut, depicted with pale skin and red hair, who leaves their home on an unidentified planet to travel across space looking for a rumored faraway blue world. Upon landing in an open field on the surface of a planet that looks like Earth, the traveler discovers the dilapidated remains of a once-thriving civilization, its people nowhere to be seen. While wandering an overgrown schoolyard, the traveler finds a toy-filled time capsule that includes an item reminiscent of a retro View-Master that contains images of the world’s past. The astronaut soon enters a train station overtaken by foliage, where they encounter a cat covered in glowing mushrooms; various other fungi-spotted animals appear as the child explores a museum, a library, and eventually, an underwater cavern. Feeling homesick after viewing space through a telescope, the traveler makes their way home, leaving behind their own window into the cosmos for someone to find. Juxtaposing sepia scenes of the lost world with dream-like colors of nature reclaiming places once bustling with people, Chung and Majoka craft an awe-inspiring adventure tinged with a melancholy sense of loss that imparts a gentle warning to safeguard the planet. Ages 6–9. Agent: Peter Ryan, Stimola Literary Studio. (Feb.)