The Spaceman, by Randy Cecil, is a complete delight. 100%, I tell ya.
The story begins with our protagonist, the Spaceman, collecting soil samples. That’s what he does every day. And his enthusiasm for the process is cowed by its utter mundanity. He collects samples, labels them, and then files them away. Then onto another planet. Day after day.
He begins on the surface of yet another planet and states,
“I must confess, at first glance I thought this a rather ordinary planet.
I’ve seen my share of planets. It’s my job.”
While he is marveling at the fauna on the planet his space ship is stolen by a large winged creature, he follows on foot but soon loses it.
What a predicament he finds himself in. As the sun comes up, he is amazed at the beauty of the plants and the ‘fantastical array of creatures’ on this planet.
The Spaceman has a number of run-ins with beasts and a greater look at the planet.
He soon realizes that this planet is far from ordinary—it is anything but!
Being stranded on this planet, the Spaceman learns to relax and have fun and make friends. It made me think of the whole work/life balance thing that is thrown around in the media these days.
I am not going to offer up any spoilers here, but I will tell you that this is one of the most satisfying endings in picture book I’ve seen in a long while.
The illustrations are masterful and unique and what we are used to seeing in Cecil’s work. He did the illustrations in oil paint. It is so rare that we see books done in traditional mediums and even rarer in oils.
Maybe I’m sheltered, but I don’t usually think of whimsical and funny and endearing book illustration done in oils. Perhaps I think of oils as a more serious medium. Nonetheless, the art is, like I said above, a complete delight.
Every creature and character in the book seem just perfect. They are wonderfully engaging, endearing, funny, etc.
Do yourself a favor, take a break from whatever you’re doing right now and go enjoy The Spaceman.
WOW! It’s love at first sight! I love the little spaceman…and the story seems delightful.
Thanks for the great preview —I agree with your assessment and am excited to get my hands on this charming book!
Such a fun concept and great book! I really enjoyed reading it also! The art is also lovely.😊
Thanks for the reminder to read it again, Kevan!
This never came on my radar last year but it’s on hold now at my library! Thanks for sharing it!
My grandson is going to adore this!
This book is so inviting. I bet it has a great take away! Congrats on all levels!
I love this book. So glad you covered it! It’s one that I couldn’t quite part with, and has been renewed now a couple of times. So much meaning. It can be interpreted in many ways. Congratulations Randy, and thanks Kevan!
I agree, what a delightful book! And hilarious, and poignant. It’s amazingly relatable to children and adults. Love the use of oils in the illustrations. Just a gem of a book.
Putting it on my TBR now! Thank you!!
Great text with beautiful illustrations. How exciting. Nice Job!
So imaginative. Kids will love this. (Adults, too.)
I love this! Thanks for sharing Kevan.
Thank you for sharing this fun book!
I’m charmed by the illustrations and the story!
Very cute! Thanks!