Astrid and the Space Cadets: Attack of the Snailiens!

By Author / Illustrator

Alex T. Smith

Genre

Science Fiction

Age range(s)

Publisher

Macmillan Children's Books

ISBN

9781035019748

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

07-03-2024

Synopsis

Blast off on an adventure with the Space Cadets! From beloved children's author-illustrator Alex T. Smith, the bestselling creator of the Claude series and How Winston Delivered Christmas, comes a funny and fast-paced adventure through space! With out-of-this-world illustrations on every page, Astrid and the Space Cadets: Attack of the Snailiens! is perfect for fans of Grimwood and Bad Guys, and for kids who are ready to read by themselves.

Astrid Atomic, a six-year-old human person, goes to bed every night like every other six year old human person. But unlike many other six year olds she doesn't stay there. The minute the lights are off and the coast is clear the Space Cadet siren goes off, her uniform goes on, and 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - WHOOSH! - she blasts off on board the spaceship Stardust!

Along with her best pals Beryl, Professor Quackers and Zoink, Astrid is given her mission from The Chief - to clean up the Milky Way! But when a nearby alien is in trouble and with giant snaliens around, things aren't likely to go to plan!

Don't miss Astrid and the gang's next adventure in book two: Astrid and the Space Cadets: Race from Planet Peril!

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Reviews

Every night, Astrid Atomic gets ready for bed like any other small human person, but that's where the similarity ends. When the clock strikes midnight, she leaps into her wardrobe (which is an Intergalactic Transporter Pod) and heads off to join the Space Cadets.

In Astrid and the Space Cadets: Attack of the Snailiens!, Astrid is sent by the Chief to clean up the edge of the Milky Way with the other cadets, Beryl, Professor Quackers and Zoink. It seems like an easy mission; however, an emergency call changes their plan. Flora Mulch lives on Hortensis, a round, leafy planet, which is being attacked by enormous Snailiens. When Professor Quackers' invention, the Shrink Blaster 10,000, makes things much bigger, the Cadets have a huge problem on their hands.

Alex T Smith is well known for his quirky, imaginative and entertaining stories - and Attack of the Snailiens is no exception! Astrid and her friends make an excellent team, supporting each other as they face each challenge their mission throws at them, following two Space Cadet Rules: Always be a Helper-Outer and Be Brave. These values shine clearly through the zany humour and fast pace of their adventure!

The story is perfect for newly independent readers with shorter chapters and a good size font, but also for those looking for something a bit different and full of fun! The text plays with words, using techniques like alliteration and plenty of puns, meaning there is much here for them to enjoy as well. Any adult reading this aloud will have a wonderful time 'doing the voices' to add life to each of the characters, making it an excellent choice for a class story or bedtime read.

The illustrations are, as ever with Alex's books, absolutely brilliant, adding much to the story and offering plenty to dwell on and enjoy! This series is sure to find a following of fans!

176 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher