Space. Bobbie Kalman and Niki Walker. Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON: Crabtree, 1997. 32 pp., hardcover, $16.76 (cl), $7.16 (pbk). ISBN: 0-86505-638-2 (cl), ISBN 0-86505-738-9 (pbk). Subject Headings: Astronomy-Juvenile literature. Outer space-Exploration-Juvenile literature. Grades 3 - 7 / Ages 8 -12. Review by Irene Gordon. **** /4

Space shares the wonderful production values of the other books in the "Crabapples" series. It is colourful, well-illustrated and has a good index, table of contents and glossary. While the book's appearance suggests an audience of lower elementar y grade students and the content is suitable for them, the work's reading level, however, is fairly high, and so some children will require assistance in its use.

      The book briefly discusses concepts like universe, galaxy, and the Big Bang Theory. It goes on to describe the make-up of our solar system and closes with information on space exploration. Most young readers will surely be interested in the section entitl ed "What is it like in space?" which offers the following tidbits of information on life in space:

Things we do easily on Earth, such as eating, sleeping, and even flushing a toilet become tricky without gravity! Water, food, or sleeping astronauts floating inside a spacecraft could damage the controls. Special foods, toilets, and sleeping gear must be used.

Food that is taken into space is dried, or dehydrated. Dehydrated food does not spoil and takes up little room. Water is added before eating. Meal trays are fastened to the astronauts' legs. Dishes are attached to them by Velcro, and magnets hold the forks and knives.

Space toilets use strong jets of air to blow wastes into a bag below the toilet. The wastes are dried and stored. To stay seated, astronauts slide their feet under bars at the bottom of the toilet and fasten straps across their legs.

Irene Gordon, a teacher-librarian who retired last June after spending 14 years working in a junior high school library in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is presently co-editor of the Manitoba School Library Association Journal and trying to establish a new career as a freelance writer.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - OCTOBER 16, 1998.

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