The Spaceman

Lovingly illustrated, this wry and gentle fantasy will speak to adults as well as children – and cast the familiar in an astonishing new light.
A tiny Spaceman arrives on a new planet, ready to perform his monotonous tasks – collecting samples, labelling and filing them, and moving on to the next planet. But pausing to look around, the Spaceman is dazzled by the beauty of his surroundings. Marvelling at a varied landscape of flowers, butterflies, and other wondrous creatures, he finds a pond to float in and a goofy beast who seems to want to be his friend. Could it be that the Spaceman has found a new home? With deadpan humour, this simple and sophisticated story offers surprises on each lively spread.

From a veteran creator comes a delightfully droll story radiating warmth and the wonder of the new, reminding us to look up from our mundane lives and embrace discovery.

Telling the story from the spaceman’s first-person perspective is a masterstroke by Cecil. The spaceman’s voice, formal yet endearing, evokes a sense of nostalgia and humour that will delight both older readers and young listeners alike. This tone, combined with the spaceman’s wide-eyed observations, is charmingly reminiscent of a Bill Bryson-esque narrative, adding a layer of innocence and wonder. Cecil’s use of oil paints gives the illustrations a rich, textured feel, with each brushstroke adding depth and warmth to the pages. The colour palette is both vibrant and subtle, with the orange hue of the spaceman’s skin and white suit standing out against the soft greens and blues of the planet’s landscape— impressive for such a tiny creature... Ultimately, this is a story about finding joy in the unexpected and learning to appreciate the world around us. The spaceman’s journey from duty-bound explorer to joyful participant is touching and uplifting…Cecil’s storytelling is as thoughtful as it is whimsical, inviting readers to pause, look around, and perhaps see the world in a new light. This beautifully crafted picture book captures the essence of discovery, wonder, and the unexpected beauty found in the most ordinary of places—a gentle reminder to stop, breathe, and appreciate life’s simple pleasures, preferably, with a dog. Books for Keeps
A clever, rather formal, first person narration together with gently humorous, hatched illustrations that provide perspective, enriching the text, make this a book that when shared with children, will give and keep on giving. Initially they might merely enjoy it as a fun adventure for the little spaceman and then later come to appreciate the elation the traveler eventually feels at finding somewhere he feels he truly belongs. Red Reading Hub
Lavishly illustrated. The Letterpress Project

Randy Cecil is the author-illustrator of Douglas, Duck, and many other highly acclaimed picture books. He is also the illustrator of James Howe's Brontorina and Tyrone O'Saurus Dreams; Elizabeth Bluemle's How Do You Wokka-Wokka? and My Father the Dog; Barbara Joosse's Girl and Dragon series, and numerous other books for young readers.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.