Story Time with Sara: Toys in Space by Mini Grey

Toys in Space
written by Mini Grey
published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2013

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Book Depository, Goodreads

Did I enjoy this book:  This was a fun and imaginative book! Both my child and I had fun every time we read this book. Toys in Space follows seven toys who are left in the backyard overnight for the first time. What I love about the story is that rather than have the action happen to the toys, the toys are imagining (and telling) a story in which they are taken to space in order to pass the time until morning when their owner will come and take them back inside.

Each of the seven toys has their own personality, and my son and I had fun giving them different voices as we read! It’s interesting to hear the seven toys collectively tell a story and hear how each of them had ideas to add to the story to make it better. This is great example of group storytelling and shows young readers how a story is constructed.

The illustrations are wonderful and fit the mood and theme of the story perfectly. The layout is done in a way that keeps the storytelling toys separate from the story being told without making it confusing at all. Some of the storytelling layout reminded me a little of graphic novels or comic books–there are added side panels in which the toys discuss the story. The art and layouts perfectly complemented the story!

Would I recommend it: Pick this book up and have some fun with it! This is a fun, silly tale that children (and adults) of all ages will love to read again and again (and I really recommend fun voices for the different characters)!

About the book – from Goodreads: A very silly (not-too-scary) story about losing a beloved toy.

That summer night, the toys were left outside. . . . For the very first time, the Wonderdoll, the helpful wind-up robot, the thoughtful green dinosaur, and the rest of their plucky gang lie in the grass, gazing up at the stars. But one star seems brighter than the rest. As it grows bigger and bigger, the toys realize it may not be a star at all! Soon they’re venturing into the unknown, traveling by spaceship, where they meet a lonely alien in need of help, and some friends.

From ever-inventive, award-winning author-illustrator Mini Grey comes a hilarious and heartfelt new adventure: a motley group of toys left outside in the garden become true friends and brave heroes–in space!