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Astro Pea
Imagine what would happen if fresh veggies could go on a cosmic adventure! Well, blast off with Pete the pea and find out what he discovers outside his pod. Pete joins other curiously shaped vegetables such as an eggplant, artichoke, cauliflower, ear of corn, and mushroom as they each take a starring role in this creative tale of space exploration, daring, and friendship.Who knew healthy food could be so much fun? Let your imagination run to space and back as ordinary vegetables take on a whole new meaning!
24 pages, Board Book
Published March 28, 2019
13 people want to read
About the author
Amalia Hoffman
14 books23 followersAmalia Hoffman is an author, illustrator and storyteller.
My Monsterpiece (Yeehoo Press) is the winner in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Award Picture book (Ages 0-5)
All Colors (Schiffer Publishing, 2019) is one of School Library Journal best board books, 2019.
The Brave Cyclist (Capstone Publishing, 2019,) illustrated by Chiara Fedele) is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection and a Bank Street College Selection Book.
Dreidel Day (Kar-Ben Publishing Group, 2018) is a PJ Library book and received the PJ Library Author Incentive Award
She’s also author/illustrator of Astro Pea (Schiffer Publishing, 2019.)
Amalia’s article, Queen Esther and I was published in Highlights Magazine for Children, March, 2016.
Amalia designed and illustrated Rose Bud, an oversized book with pop-up elements for Israel’s children’s theater "The Train."
Other books include, The Klezmer Bunch and Purim Goodies, Gefen Publishing House.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 11, 2019
This is a great book for the Summer Reading theme of 2019: A Universe of Stories. The book is small, but I will put it on the big screen.
October 30, 2018
Pete the pea jumps out of his pod, hops on a carrot rocket and blasts off for a fun adventure. This book is full of creativity and imagination starring a fun cast of vegetables characters.
The author has transformed a carrot into a rocket ship, a head of cauliflower into a cluster of stars, a corn-trol shuttle that rescues Pete when he has a malfunction, a stalk of asparagus that has morphed into a telescope, an eggplant that substitutes as another spaceship and a mushroom that serves as a parachute when Pete needs it most, just to name a few. Do you think that the mushroom parachute will make a home-delivery for poor homesick Pete?
The illustrations are delightful and are the crown jewels of the story. They are bold, bright, colourful and very kid-friendly. Kids will have fun identifying the different veggies and who knows? This book might be the very thing they need to want to sample each and every one thus discovering that veggies are out of this world!
The author has transformed a carrot into a rocket ship, a head of cauliflower into a cluster of stars, a corn-trol shuttle that rescues Pete when he has a malfunction, a stalk of asparagus that has morphed into a telescope, an eggplant that substitutes as another spaceship and a mushroom that serves as a parachute when Pete needs it most, just to name a few. Do you think that the mushroom parachute will make a home-delivery for poor homesick Pete?
The illustrations are delightful and are the crown jewels of the story. They are bold, bright, colourful and very kid-friendly. Kids will have fun identifying the different veggies and who knows? This book might be the very thing they need to want to sample each and every one thus discovering that veggies are out of this world!
October 6, 2018
This is a delightful easy to read story about a pea in a pod that uses vegetables to fly into space. He uses a carrot for a spaceship, an asparagus for a telescope. He sees a satellite of artichoke and stars of cauliflower. He gets in trouble with a ear of corn and gets homesick and goes home to return to space on an eggplant and a mushroom for a parachute. This is a great way to teach about veggies to children and get them to know them by sight. I recommend this book for 2-4 yr olds.
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 12, 2018
This book was ADORABLE!
First off, I love love LOVE the chalkboard drawings. They are so fun, imaginative, and ultimately lend themselves to the simplicity of the story. They are bright, imaginative, and flat out fun- veggies!
As for the story, I also loved it! The idea of combining the vegetables and space, and could totally see this book being an interactive book with kids and parents discussing the different vegetables here. Lovely book!
First off, I love love LOVE the chalkboard drawings. They are so fun, imaginative, and ultimately lend themselves to the simplicity of the story. They are bright, imaginative, and flat out fun- veggies!
As for the story, I also loved it! The idea of combining the vegetables and space, and could totally see this book being an interactive book with kids and parents discussing the different vegetables here. Lovely book!
October 5, 2018
I received a digital arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
What an adorable book! The illustrations are absolutely what makes this story. A pea escapes his pod and goes on an adventure through space, getting into trouble, and meeting other vegetables. This is a perfect book to read for that hesitant kid who doesn't want to eat their veggies. It's imaginative and fun.
What an adorable book! The illustrations are absolutely what makes this story. A pea escapes his pod and goes on an adventure through space, getting into trouble, and meeting other vegetables. This is a perfect book to read for that hesitant kid who doesn't want to eat their veggies. It's imaginative and fun.
November 13, 2018
Imaginative, smart, and funny, this colorful book by Amalia Hoffman is a wonderful read, full of discovery and excitement!
April 22, 2019
I can’t think of many board books where every page has a completely black background and it is so effective in this book. The illustrations have a chalkboard feeling that gives this space-based story a unique feel.
It’s marketed as a book to encourage children to enjoy eating their vegetables and I think it certainly has a nice tie-in for babies who are weaning as well as toddlers learning the names of vegetables. Overall, this book is so much fun, I’m sure children (veggie-lovers or not) will love this book!
For full review with pictures click here.
I am very grateful to the publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
It’s marketed as a book to encourage children to enjoy eating their vegetables and I think it certainly has a nice tie-in for babies who are weaning as well as toddlers learning the names of vegetables. Overall, this book is so much fun, I’m sure children (veggie-lovers or not) will love this book!
For full review with pictures click here.
I am very grateful to the publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
April 12, 2019
Pete the Pea pops out of his pod and the cosmic adventure begins. Toddlers will stay entertained as they discover a bit of outer space alongside some very appealing earthbound vegetables. The brightly-colored illustrations of this imaginative board book are charming, cheerful and energetic. I love the way the colors pop off the black background.
October 20, 2018
I will definitely be purchasing this book to read at our pre-school storytime. It is adorable, laugh-out-loud funny, and great for vegetable recognition. My favourite part is when the pea opens his mushroom "parachute." Kids will love naming the veggies, and turning each page to see what is next.
April 1, 2019
Astro Pea is a fun, unique board book full of puns and visual humor. The illustration style is intentionally childlike and breezy. The chalk drawings are playful against the glossy black background, which metaphorically represents the space, but also a chalkboard for a quick spontaneous drawing session. You get to go on an imaginative journey with Pete, the Astro Pea and meet other vegetables on the way. This book will make you happy and hungry!
February 27, 2019
What a sweet and special little book! A little pea named Pete dreams of heading off to explore space, and through his lively imagination, he makes his dream come true. Kids will love pointing and calling out the names of veggies in the adorable chalkboard-style illustrations that make reading this book a pure delight. Just as in the classic Where the Wild Things Are, little Pea Pete discovers sometimes it's best to be back where people love you best of all... back home in your pod after a thrilling adventure.
Even though this is a board book, there's enough substance and fun here to entertain a wide range of ages.
Even though this is a board book, there's enough substance and fun here to entertain a wide range of ages.
January 22, 2019
This was a lovely little book to spark the imagination of children and make them think about vegetables as fun. Astro Pea meets little friends such as corn and uses vegetables like aubergines and mushrooms for space transport.
I would recommend this book to children aged 2-5 and their adults. I would use it in the classroom to increase an awareness of different vegetable names but also to inspire a bit of fun and creativity.
I will be posting a more detailed review on my blog on 14th March but can move it earlier if desired.
I would recommend this book to children aged 2-5 and their adults. I would use it in the classroom to increase an awareness of different vegetable names but also to inspire a bit of fun and creativity.
I will be posting a more detailed review on my blog on 14th March but can move it earlier if desired.
November 28, 2018
I'm one of the privileged to have previewed this delightful book. I have grandchildren of the age group that Astro Pea is written for and if I may a play on words will suit them "like a pea in a pod". Ms. Hoffman has once again shown creativity, imagination and above all humour. Her illustrations are terrific. In short, I loved this book and highly recommend it for parents/grandparents to read to the toddlers of their family.
January 4, 2019
An imaginative, silly adventure in the stratosphere of Vegetable Space. Little ones will giggle over this and enjoy pointing out the various vegetables. They will identify with fun-loving Astro Pea as he launches into adventure, and then returns, safely, to the pod. Wonderful illustration with great color contrast make this perfect for the youngest of lap readers. Hooray for Astro Pea!
September 23, 2020
When Pete the pea soars off into space on a carrot, he encounters a variety of vegetables that come to life on this delightful space adventure. Astro Pea is an adorable picture book with vivacious illustrations introducing little ones to vegetables in a fun, creative, cosmic way. I highly recommend this book.
December 4, 2018
Little ones will enjoy pointing out the foods they recognize. Has great potential for being integrated into a space-themed storytime.
I was provided with an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided with an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2019
This is such a clever board book - the delightful text about exploring space and then finding your comfortable spot right back home is perfectly complemented by the vivid illustrations. Perfect for little ones!
March 4, 2019
This adorable book imagines an adventure with vegetables that goes around the world and then back home. The story is a fun read and the illustrations are imaginative and full of color and texture. Kids will love this book!
November 12, 2018
Brilliant and amusing. My 6-year-old adored it!
January 6, 2019
This board book was seriously creative and fun for both kids and adults. Striking, vivid pictures and a fun story that'll have young readers laughing! Pete the Pea is SO cute!!
January 8, 2019
Adorable! I absolutely love this story, and so did my little ones. :)
January 8, 2019
A clever and fun book for young kids, and their parents! The illustrations are vibrant and engaging, and the book makes vegetables fun and funny.
January 11, 2019
Adorable idea! Vibrant illustrations! A great way to introduce veggies and healthy food choices to space loving little ones.
February 22, 2019
A brilliant funny adventure book!
Pit the pea is shure to become our grandchildren's favorite character!
Pit the pea is shure to become our grandchildren's favorite character!
November 8, 2018
When his pea pod pops, Pete embarks on a cosmic adventure.
Boarding a carrot spaceship, he blasts off into space where he crashes onto an artichoke satellite.
But luckily, Pete is rescued by the corn-trol shuttle.
Turn the pages and discover how excitement, danger and friendship merge with every vegetable Pete encounters.
I found this book very unique because as young readers turn the pages, they discover that the familiar can take on a whole new meaning if we let our imagination loose. And simple vegetables can transform by our imagination and take us all the way to the stars.
This writer/illustrator really gets what kid’s fantasy is all about.
The illustrations, created with chalk on a black background, are striking, colorful, and delightful. The contrast between the stark background and the bright elements on the page make the art very kid friendly.
This book is creative & fun. The sentences are short enough to read to your favorite toddler but the story is complex enough to keep reading again, and again, and again because there’s an anticipated excitement as you keep turning the pages.
The book kind of reminded me of the whimsical painting of the Italian artist, Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
I also felt that the book delivered a very gentle message of diversity and friendship between people, as different as peas are from mushrooms.
I give this book 5 well deserved stars!
Boarding a carrot spaceship, he blasts off into space where he crashes onto an artichoke satellite.
But luckily, Pete is rescued by the corn-trol shuttle.
Turn the pages and discover how excitement, danger and friendship merge with every vegetable Pete encounters.
I found this book very unique because as young readers turn the pages, they discover that the familiar can take on a whole new meaning if we let our imagination loose. And simple vegetables can transform by our imagination and take us all the way to the stars.
This writer/illustrator really gets what kid’s fantasy is all about.
The illustrations, created with chalk on a black background, are striking, colorful, and delightful. The contrast between the stark background and the bright elements on the page make the art very kid friendly.
This book is creative & fun. The sentences are short enough to read to your favorite toddler but the story is complex enough to keep reading again, and again, and again because there’s an anticipated excitement as you keep turning the pages.
The book kind of reminded me of the whimsical painting of the Italian artist, Giuseppe Arcimboldo.
I also felt that the book delivered a very gentle message of diversity and friendship between people, as different as peas are from mushrooms.
I give this book 5 well deserved stars!
November 6, 2018
Astro Pea by Amalia Hoffman
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
ISBN: 9780764356988
Publish Date: March 28, 2019
Thanks to NetGalley and Schiffer Publishing Ltd for the ebook ARC of Astro Pea by Amalia Hoffman in exchange for an honest review.
Imagine what would happen if fresh veggies could go on a cosmic adventure! Well, blast off with Pete the pea and find out what he discovers outside his pod. Pete joins other curiously shaped vegetables, such as an eggplant, artichoke, cauliflower, ear of corn, and mushroom as they each take a starring role in this creative tale of space exploration during friendship. Who knew healthy food could be so much fun?
I give this book a rating of 3 stars. I read this book to my 4 year old daughter. She really liked the illustrations but it seemed to confuse her with the vegetables being certain items from space. It was a cute and fun book though.
#AstroPea #NetGalley
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
ISBN: 9780764356988
Publish Date: March 28, 2019
Thanks to NetGalley and Schiffer Publishing Ltd for the ebook ARC of Astro Pea by Amalia Hoffman in exchange for an honest review.
Imagine what would happen if fresh veggies could go on a cosmic adventure! Well, blast off with Pete the pea and find out what he discovers outside his pod. Pete joins other curiously shaped vegetables, such as an eggplant, artichoke, cauliflower, ear of corn, and mushroom as they each take a starring role in this creative tale of space exploration during friendship. Who knew healthy food could be so much fun?
I give this book a rating of 3 stars. I read this book to my 4 year old daughter. She really liked the illustrations but it seemed to confuse her with the vegetables being certain items from space. It was a cute and fun book though.
#AstroPea #NetGalley
March 24, 2019
I received an electronic ARC from Schiffer Publishing Ltd through NetGalley.
Clever use of vegetables to represent space travel pieces. Pete the Pea finds a spaceship and launches into out space. Disaster strikes and he's rescued by a Corn-trol Shuttle orbiting nearby. They give him a different rocket so he can go home.
Love the black background to represent space as the various "planets" and "stars" appear as he travels on his journey.
Realistic looking vegetables that also look like stars, planets, space shuttles, rockets, etc.
Young readers will enjoy Hoffman's humor as they read about Pete.
Clever use of vegetables to represent space travel pieces. Pete the Pea finds a spaceship and launches into out space. Disaster strikes and he's rescued by a Corn-trol Shuttle orbiting nearby. They give him a different rocket so he can go home.
Love the black background to represent space as the various "planets" and "stars" appear as he travels on his journey.
Realistic looking vegetables that also look like stars, planets, space shuttles, rockets, etc.
Young readers will enjoy Hoffman's humor as they read about Pete.
February 6, 2019
An adorable book about using your imagination...perfect for preschoolers. The illustrations are done in a vibrant, playful chalk pastel style set against a dark background. Young children will enjoy following the little pea on his make believe adventure...and perhaps spark some fun imaginary adventures of their own!
July 18, 2019
"Toddlers and young readers will delight at the fanciful adventure of Pete the Pea and what he discovers when he steps outside his pod. This simple board book, and the whimsical illustrations that accompany it, celebrate curiosity and imagination and reminds us that even after a grand adventure, it is good to come home to those we love."
March 10, 2019
Thank you to Schiffer Publishing and NetGalley for access to this ARC.
This is a fun one. I enjoyed the chalk drawings and this could be a good intro to different kinds of vegetables for kids - maybe helpful for making eating vegetables a bit more 'fun.' at least in concept.
This is a fun one. I enjoyed the chalk drawings and this could be a good intro to different kinds of vegetables for kids - maybe helpful for making eating vegetables a bit more 'fun.' at least in concept.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews