Laika: Astronaut Dog by Owen Davey

Laika: Astronaut Dog by Owen Davey

Laika is a homeless stray living on the streets of Moscow when she is picked by the Space Programme to be the first ever animal launched into orbit! But her rocket disappears and everyone thinks Laika is lost forever - no one knows what happened to her. Now you'll discover in Owen Davey's imaginative story that Laika was rescued by a loving new owner and found her true home on a planet far, far away.

Laika is Owen Davey's third picture bookin it he re-tells the story of the first animal to orbit the earth. Laika was a Russian dog, launched into space in the Sputnik 2 rocket in 1957. It was a huge event at the time, a story I remember hearing in the news as a young girl.

Templar publishers recognise interesting illustration and design, and the design and illustration in Laika the Astronaut is stunning, with echoes of Russian poster art. They story is simply and engagingly told. However, I would have liked it to end on the double page spread: 'In the years that followed, people wrote books about her, made stamps with her face on and even put up a statue of her.' Laika living ion in memories would have made a much more powerful ending than Davey's fantasy adventure of Laika being found and living a life of happiness with a dream family.

Nevertheless, a stunningly illustrated picture book for young readers 6 - 9

-- Lynda Graham * The School Librarian Journal *

Owen grew up near Brighton and graduated from University College Falmouth, gaining a first in illustration. He describes his style as contemporary and nostalgic and likes to use a palette of warm, muted colours. He works with traditional and digital media. Owen's impressive debut book, Foxly's Feast, won the 'Highly Commended' in the 2009 Macmillan Children's Book Prize.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781848778788
ISBN 10	1848778783
Title	Laika: Astronaut Dog
Author	Owen Davey
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Templar Publishing
Year published	2013-11-01
Number of pages	32
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable