The Boy Who Went to Mars by Simon James
Published by Candlewick Press on November 20th 2018
ISBN: 076369598X
Pages: 32
Goodreads

The Boy Who Went to Mars by Simon James is a story about a little boy who pretends he is a Martian while his mother is away on a short trip. After his mom leaves, he climbs in his cardboard box space ship, takes a quick round trip to Mars, and comes back a Martian. Under his dad’s care, the boy acts up in relatively modest ways, not brushing his teeth, ignoring vegetables at dinner, and shoving a child (not seriously hurt) on the playgroup. Once his mother comes home and asks him how he was, he feels guilty, jumps back in spaceship and returns as a boy, glad to be his old self again. Young child who are trying to figure out how to express their feelings will relate to this child. The father comes off as warm and caring; the brother understanding, and the little boy creative in his rebellion.  The sketchy cartoon illustrations give a sense of lightness to the story. Recommended for ages 4 to 7. Margy Soule, Coffin School, Brunswick