Pluto Visits Earth!

by Steve Metzger

Pluto visits Earth in a truly out-of-this-world adventure! Pluto is not pleased when he learns that astronomers have downgraded him from planet to dwarf planet. He embarks on a fun and out-of-this-world adventure across the solar system to visit Earth and reclaim his planetary status. Along the way, Pluto bumps into his moons and other planets. But it's a boy on Earth who makes him realize that, big or small, planet or not, he's still special!

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Childrens, Space, Science Fiction Fantasy, Humor, Storytime

Paperback

First published August 28, 2012

About the author

I grew up in Queens, NY in the 1950s with my “baby” sister, Lois. She is now a wonderful writer of young adult novels and nonfiction. My mother was born in Vienna, Austria, and my father came from Brooklyn – an interesting match! My best friends were Neil, Robbie, Krebs, and Paul. I’m still good friends with most of these guys. It was less hectic in those days – no computers, no emails, fewer TV channels (MANY fewer!) We had lots of fun playing ball and listening to records. I’ll never forget when the Beatles came to America – Beatlemania!
After graduating from Baruch College in NYC, I didn’t know what to do with my life. I bounced around doing odd jobs, including taxi driver, dishwasher, and hotel desk clerk. One day, while relaxing in Central Park (OK, I was unemployed), I saw a group of children from a local daycare center. It struck me that I always liked children -- perhaps I could make a career out of something I liked. Eureka! Ever since then, I’ve been involved, in one way or another, with the lives of young children.

I received my Masters in Education from Bank Street College and taught preschool kids for a bunch of years. I loved the childrens' innocence and vivid imaginations. After moving into school administration for a few years, I began working at Scholastic, where I have been ever since.

At Scholastic, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to write children’s books. The first book that I wrote was "The Dinofours: I’m Super Dino!" Twenty-seven other Dinofours’ books followed. I hope my respect and appreciation for young children shines through in my stories.

Nowadays, I’m lucky to be married to my beautiful and talented wife, Nancy (she’s also a writer). In 1998, we were blessed with a terrific daughter, Julia, who helps criticize my story ideas and lets me play with her once in a while.

And furthermore…any recollections of my life would not be complete without mentioning my grandmother, Mutti. She was an ever present source of love, appreciation, and wisdom.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch out! Pluto is mad! Earthly astronomers have decided that Pluto is a dwarf planet, and this does not sit well with the central character of Pluto Visits Earth by Steve Metzger. In this 2013 Children's Book Council finalist book, Pluto will try to enlist the help of his other planet friends, but ultimately he must challenge the Earthlings by himself. This book allows for discoveries and connections to be made about the solar system while delivering a special message about self-worth. I would recommend this book for grades K-2nd, and it would be a great addition to any space unit.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long on fun and imagination, but low on information.

[Kaitlin Bisbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pluto Visits Earth is a fun story about Pluto finding out he's not actually a planet, and storming to Earth to demand to find out why. Pluto is offended that humans didn't want him to be a planet anymore, because they didn't think he was big enough. But when Pluto arrives at Earth and is confronting the scientists, a little boy approaches him. The boy tells Pluto that no matter what, planet or not, he would always be his favorite. And hearing those words made Pluto okay with not being a planet, and he flew home. This is a cute way of going about an "identity crisis." I enjoyed the narrative, and you don't often see books about space, let alone one's that personify the planets in the solar system, so it had lots of originality. Pluto gets upset when other people try to define him, but once he is reassured that other people's labels don't change who he is inside, he is okay. This book would be great in the classroom for students who might be struggling with issues of self esteem, or self identity. I also really thought that the illustrations were interesting - they have a speckled effect that almost makes the objects in the picture have more movement, like they're vibrating.

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Pluto learns that it's no longer a planet, it decides to confront the scientists on Earth who changed its status to "dwarf planet." They outline the reasons for the change, but Pluto is still upset, until a boy points out that size doesn't matter and that Pluto will always be his favorite. That cheers the angry planet up immediately and it returns to its place in the solar system. An afterward follows that explains Pluto's discovery, naming, and history, and shows a picture of all the planets (+ Pluto) in our solar system. A funny story of fictional outrage that defies any explanations and laws of physics! It's easy to anthropomorphize Pluto and imagine what it might feel like to find out you've been stripped of your title.

[RLL22017_Estefania Alvarez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book !
The planet find out that he is not a plant anymore. He is very sad and upset because he now a dwarf planet. He goes on an adventure through the solar system to reach to the earth and reclaim his planet. Towards the end the planet finds a boy in earth and that little boy tells him that no matter how small or how big he will always be special. I would love to share this book with any age of students I feel that the students will like it a lot and will also learn that everyone is special no matter what.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Momma Aloha: As someone who grew up in the "Pluto is no longer a planet" debacle, this one was cute and funny all about how Pluto gets his feelings hurt about the demotion and zooms off to Earth to convince them he most certainly is still a planet.

Mini Aloha: I vote Pluto is a planet. I like that he stopped by the other planets to try and get some help and then saw the scientists that made the choice. We're doing space in science right now so it's pretty cool we get so visit all of the planets on the way.

[Danita · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts with a fun narrative story about Pluto finding out he has been demoted to a dwarf planet and coming to Earth to complain. Along the way, he passes all of the other planets in the correct order. At the end, there is an informational page that goes over the history and facts of Pluto. The story grabs the attention of the students before offering them information on the dwarf planet. It also addresses themes of fitting in and going through changes.

[Kim Huls · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book that personifies Pluto and his discovery of being removed of his "planet" title. It's kind of silly/nonsensical, but I do appreciate that there's a page of nonfiction explanation at the end. This is definitely redeeming.

[Cherokee - Books With A Chance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book about Pluto and the fact he was considered a dwarf planet in 2006.
The illustrations are nice, and thr story is pretty decent. The moral being no matter how big or small, you're still important.
There is an explanation at the end on the reclassification of Pluto.

[Narcarsia Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story!! It was fun to read and it provided some valuable information about Pluto and the other planets.

[Starbubbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so adorable! It discusses Pluto coming to terms with being reclassified as a dwarf planet. The personalities of other celestial bodies was so cute! I just really liked this story!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the news finally reaches Pluto that he has been demoted and is no longer considered a planet, he is understandably furious and decides to find out what has happened. He zooms as quickly as he can to Earth, passing by some of his fellow planets, but none of them can help at all. After all, they are dealing with their own problems and preoccupations such as keeping their moons in orbit. After heading to sn observatory, Pluto looms over the people below, but finds solace in the words of a boy who tells him that size doesn't matter; after all, Pluto is still his favorite. I liked the mix of fantasy and science facts about the planets are provided in the text as well as an explanation for why Pluto lost is planet designation. While Pluto orbits the sun and is spherical in shape, it does not use its gravity to clear objects from its orbit. Young readers will enjoy learning facts about Pluto and its three moons and noting Pluto's personality through the illustrations created by Radiograph pen and Luna dyes.

[Kelli Bratten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great non-fiction book that had elements of the solar system throughout. The students would have learned about planets and the solar system so the book would be integrated into a unit where they were learning about the solar system. i would use this book in a third grade and fourth grade classroom. Even if some of the students were at higher reading levels, they would enjoy this book while reviewing topics that had already been learned. To integrate into language arts I would have them write a persuasive writing piece where they had to be Pluto and convince the astronomers of the world to leave them as a planet. In the writing they would have to use scientific facts to support their reasoning for staying a planet. Of course some of it could be silly too!

[Shelby Usrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tons of information is in this book! It's a great book that could be used to teach students about the planets! Plus it includes information about Pluto not being included as a planet and explains how it was found! The illustrations are fit the story so well and create a great story to go along with the informational facts about the planets! This book is another book needed in the library in the classroom! It could be used in so many ways!

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Indignant Pluto goes on a mission to rectify the injustice perpetrated upon him by astronomers from Earth. Who are these strangers who dare to downgrade a planet? Somehow, his rage subsides by the time he reaches Earth, and all is forgiven when a small, overenthusiastic child proclaims his undying favoritism for Pluto. Call me a skeptic, but I found Pluto's reversal of attitude a bit abrupt and unlikely. Still, a fun--though not particularly informative--read.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the news of his newly demoted planet status reaches Pluto, he angrily visits Earth to demand his planet status back! He tries to enlist the help of other planets along the way. This cute tale, told from the viewpoint of Pluto will catch the attention of students and give them a small lesson in astronomy. The back pages include information explaining the reasons Pluto is no longer a planet. Fun story!

[Jenn Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pluto finds out that he has been downgraded from a planet to a dwarf planet and he is pissed. He goes to Earth and demands to know why. I think I enjoyed this story more than my daughter did. Then again, I grew up with Pluto as a planet so maybe it hit more closer to home to me or it could be the fact that she is only 3. Great book nonetheless. Worth checking out!

[Claire Newell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is short and sweet and gives a dip of information about the planets for early learners in 1st-2nd grade. Would be a nice book to read to students before doing a lesson on astronomy or a mini science experiment based on astronomy. Could also be a good asset to a classroom as many kids have an interest in astronomy and space.

[Stephanie Croaning · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun way to explain to younger kids why Pluto is no longer considered a planet. Although the plot seemed to jump around a bit, it does provide a lot of facts about Pluto and planets in our solar system.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book. Pluto learns that his status of a planet has been changed to him being a dwarf planet. He's not very happy about this so he decides to come to earth to ask why this happened. A great book for children who love anything to do with space.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about Pluto being demoted to a dwarf planet, but realizing he is still special.

This book provides an opportunity to educate children on the solar system and a bit about the history of the planets and especially Pluto.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the author has taken research and weaved them into an entertaining story for students. This would be a great creative writing project for students to try and I plan to use this text as an exemplar.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, humorous story capturing a fictional Pluto's feelings at being demoted to "dwarf planet" status. Reading aloud to my students (grade 3) during this library internship to supplement their classroom study of the solar system.

[Cecelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful tribute to Pluto, our beloved former planet. On his journey to Earth, Pluto stops at the other planets. There are little deatails about each one that educated children about our solar system. A definite keeper.

[Dana]

- Science
- Planets
- Moons
- Dwarf Planet
- Solar System
- Vocabulary

This could be read as a read aloud or students can read by themselves. It brings the planets to life and provides easy vocabulary about the solar system.

[Donalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pluto responds to the news that he's no longer considered a planet.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story, back matter explains why Pluto was demoted from full planet status, which I never knew and always thought was an injustice :) Love the illustrations.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhhhhhhhh, now I understand!

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

humorous

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

*sniff* Pluto, you'll always be aces in my book too.