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The Space Walk
One small step for man is one giant leap for friendship in this kid-level space adventure!
Astronaut Randolph Witherspoon wants to take a walk—a spacewalk, that is! But Ground Control has other ideas. Randolph must eat some lunch, get some exercise, and then he can go outside, provided he dresses warmly and doesn't talk to strangers. But Randolph's mission doesn't exactly go to plan, leading to an unexpected new friend.
Brian Biggs puts an interstellar spin on the parent–child relationship in this hilarious new picture book.
Astronaut Randolph Witherspoon wants to take a walk—a spacewalk, that is! But Ground Control has other ideas. Randolph must eat some lunch, get some exercise, and then he can go outside, provided he dresses warmly and doesn't talk to strangers. But Randolph's mission doesn't exactly go to plan, leading to an unexpected new friend.
Brian Biggs puts an interstellar spin on the parent–child relationship in this hilarious new picture book.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2019
87 people want to read
About the author
Brian Biggs
116 books32 followersBrian Biggs is the author and illustrator of more than a dozen children's books including the Everything Goes series, Tinyville Town, The Space Walk, and My Hero. He has also illustrated more than 60 book written by authors such as Jon Scieszka, Katherine Applegate, Cynthia Rylant, and Mac Barnett.
In addition, Brian created the graphic novels Frederick & Eloise, published by Fantagraphics in 1993, and Dear Julia, published by Top Shelf in 1999.
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Brian lived in Texas, New York, France, and California before settling down in Philadelphia, where he lives with his wife and several imaginary friends.
In addition, Brian created the graphic novels Frederick & Eloise, published by Fantagraphics in 1993, and Dear Julia, published by Top Shelf in 1999.
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Brian lived in Texas, New York, France, and California before settling down in Philadelphia, where he lives with his wife and several imaginary friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 20, 2019
This book was different. I guess I expected more than what I got from this book.
I liked the color contrast between the inside of the spaceship and space. The inside of the spaceship is a light gray and space is bright and colorful. The idea behind the story is great. I liked the ideas of being out in space, the idea of aliens or unknown beings in space, making friends with other beings, and taking pictures in space.
I wasn’t a fan of the drawings of space nor of the colors of the planets. They looked too cartoonish or like bouncy balls. I thought the depth of the story could have been deeper, or the author could have elaborated on a few of the items that he touched on. I also wasn’t a fan of all the wordless pages in the middle, as I thought there were a lot of them.
This was a children’s book about Randolph taking a spacewalk. Clearing the walk with Ground Control, Randolph must do a few things before taking his walk out in space. When Randolph finally makes his way outside the spaceship, what does he see? This spacewalk is one that Randolph will remember. When he makes his way back into the spaceship, Randolph asks Ground Control if he can take another walk tomorrow.
I liked the color contrast between the inside of the spaceship and space. The inside of the spaceship is a light gray and space is bright and colorful. The idea behind the story is great. I liked the ideas of being out in space, the idea of aliens or unknown beings in space, making friends with other beings, and taking pictures in space.
I wasn’t a fan of the drawings of space nor of the colors of the planets. They looked too cartoonish or like bouncy balls. I thought the depth of the story could have been deeper, or the author could have elaborated on a few of the items that he touched on. I also wasn’t a fan of all the wordless pages in the middle, as I thought there were a lot of them.
This was a children’s book about Randolph taking a spacewalk. Clearing the walk with Ground Control, Randolph must do a few things before taking his walk out in space. When Randolph finally makes his way outside the spaceship, what does he see? This spacewalk is one that Randolph will remember. When he makes his way back into the spaceship, Randolph asks Ground Control if he can take another walk tomorrow.
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January 3, 2020A fun and colorful, if slight, take on an astronaut in outer space. I love the bright, funny pictures and the cheerful astronaut who takes selfies with an unknown space person before coming back inside.
February 27, 2020
Biggs’ astronaut, Randolph Witherspoon, is sure to resonate with his Child-audience. You can see how he might get bored being shut up in that spaceship. But he has to get permission from Ground Control to go outside and play.
“Eat some lunch, get some exercise, and clean up the place a bit,” ordered Ground Control. “Then you can go outside.” (emphasis mine)
Randolph will do as asked: eating Brussel Sprouts, running, and picking up floating objects (which will include a sock). Once he’s done, Ground Control gives him clearance, and some parental direction (more rules). He misses the last one, but you have to wonder if he’d ignore it anyway, because he meets the coolest stranger on his space walk.
The turn of the page has an incredible effect. It’s a great big—er—place out there! Where the pages up until now had been white with blues and reds, space a small porthole, now the ship and astronaut are small against black; planets, rocks, and stars are bold bright colors. Our faces surely reflect Randolph’s own.
The next sequence will be textless, reliant on gestures. We take in the wonders with Randolph, as well as the encounter.
The genius in that initial exchange between astronaut and alien is to be experienced. It’s pretty funny. It’s also…intriguing. Spotted as if another phenomena in space, Randolph turns his camera toward the alien creature and takes a picture. The flash startles and Randolph quickly realizes his error—he pointed a machine at someone without permission, and the favor is about to be returned. He also forgets that he’s the alien (a phenomenon) and presently extraterrestrial.
Biggs cuts the tension with humor and a friendship and underlines the merit of getting outside and making friends of your neighborhood kids (no text required). For the astronaut, it isn’t too big or scary out there, but full of wonder and delight. And at the end of the story, Randolph is eager to go outside again. Of course, Ground Control has a list of things in reply, and a “We’ll see in the morning,” but Randolph is already inspired—and so is the reader.
Of the long list of space- and astronaut-related books, this one is a wonderful and necessary addition. It brings the idea of an astronaut down to earth, and launches them back again as stars of stories of courage and adventure. Biggs’ offering also gives us a narrative that changes the face of the intrepid explorer. The encounter remarks on the need to be conscientious, empathetic.
Biggs also dabbles in thoughts about obedience. Randolph is a good model for doing what is asked; but he also wouldn’t have had such a meaningful encounter and a new friend if he’d heard (listened to) Ground Control… That’s something maybe for both caregiver and child to mull over.
Also: what about the part where the alien looks like a piece of technology… but then, doesn’t the Astronaut, in his suit especially, and with the camera? Tech is a big concern for parents, add to it, a global setting. And here we inspire our future astronauts with dreams that require technology and its advancement.
One should never underestimate children’s picture books.
In the meantime, Biggs’ illustrations have an easy, timeless charm. His stories are always a smile that deepens with every read and intriguing notion.
“Eat some lunch, get some exercise, and clean up the place a bit,” ordered Ground Control. “Then you can go outside.” (emphasis mine)
Randolph will do as asked: eating Brussel Sprouts, running, and picking up floating objects (which will include a sock). Once he’s done, Ground Control gives him clearance, and some parental direction (more rules). He misses the last one, but you have to wonder if he’d ignore it anyway, because he meets the coolest stranger on his space walk.
The turn of the page has an incredible effect. It’s a great big—er—place out there! Where the pages up until now had been white with blues and reds, space a small porthole, now the ship and astronaut are small against black; planets, rocks, and stars are bold bright colors. Our faces surely reflect Randolph’s own.
The next sequence will be textless, reliant on gestures. We take in the wonders with Randolph, as well as the encounter.
The genius in that initial exchange between astronaut and alien is to be experienced. It’s pretty funny. It’s also…intriguing. Spotted as if another phenomena in space, Randolph turns his camera toward the alien creature and takes a picture. The flash startles and Randolph quickly realizes his error—he pointed a machine at someone without permission, and the favor is about to be returned. He also forgets that he’s the alien (a phenomenon) and presently extraterrestrial.
Biggs cuts the tension with humor and a friendship and underlines the merit of getting outside and making friends of your neighborhood kids (no text required). For the astronaut, it isn’t too big or scary out there, but full of wonder and delight. And at the end of the story, Randolph is eager to go outside again. Of course, Ground Control has a list of things in reply, and a “We’ll see in the morning,” but Randolph is already inspired—and so is the reader.
Of the long list of space- and astronaut-related books, this one is a wonderful and necessary addition. It brings the idea of an astronaut down to earth, and launches them back again as stars of stories of courage and adventure. Biggs’ offering also gives us a narrative that changes the face of the intrepid explorer. The encounter remarks on the need to be conscientious, empathetic.
Biggs also dabbles in thoughts about obedience. Randolph is a good model for doing what is asked; but he also wouldn’t have had such a meaningful encounter and a new friend if he’d heard (listened to) Ground Control… That’s something maybe for both caregiver and child to mull over.
Also: what about the part where the alien looks like a piece of technology… but then, doesn’t the Astronaut, in his suit especially, and with the camera? Tech is a big concern for parents, add to it, a global setting. And here we inspire our future astronauts with dreams that require technology and its advancement.
One should never underestimate children’s picture books.
In the meantime, Biggs’ illustrations have an easy, timeless charm. His stories are always a smile that deepens with every read and intriguing notion.
February 5, 2021
Chuckle-worthy.
May 1, 2020
The Space Walk by Brian Biggs. PICTURE BOOK. Dial (Penguin Random House), 2019. $18. ISBN 9780525553373
BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Astronaut Randolph is bored. He wants to go out for a walk, but Ground Control insists he does his chores first. “And don’t talk to strangers” comes a final order, but a moment too late. Randolph is already outside. He takes pictures of some space objects and then with a robot-looking alien. Later, safely back in his ship, tucked into a sleeping bag bolted to the wall, he can’t wait till tomorrow.
The pictures are adorable (though the pale maleness of the astronaut may limit the book's appeal for some readers). Randolph’s space capsule is illustrated in muted teal and peach tones with lots of flat white spaces, while outer space is filled with colorful planets, comets, and stars of all sizes that pop against an inky black background. And there is no sound in outer space. The several pages of his space walk contain no words. He communicates with the alien with hand gestures and facial expressions. Students will delight in the similarities they see between the conversations and interactions in the story and those in their own lives, making this book a good one to use when discussing self-to-text connections.
P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: PRE-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Astronaut Randolph is bored. He wants to go out for a walk, but Ground Control insists he does his chores first. “And don’t talk to strangers” comes a final order, but a moment too late. Randolph is already outside. He takes pictures of some space objects and then with a robot-looking alien. Later, safely back in his ship, tucked into a sleeping bag bolted to the wall, he can’t wait till tomorrow.
The pictures are adorable (though the pale maleness of the astronaut may limit the book's appeal for some readers). Randolph’s space capsule is illustrated in muted teal and peach tones with lots of flat white spaces, while outer space is filled with colorful planets, comets, and stars of all sizes that pop against an inky black background. And there is no sound in outer space. The several pages of his space walk contain no words. He communicates with the alien with hand gestures and facial expressions. Students will delight in the similarities they see between the conversations and interactions in the story and those in their own lives, making this book a good one to use when discussing self-to-text connections.
P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary school teacher-librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
October 14, 2019
The color palette was phenomenal with a setting as cool as space but the story itself was a bit lackluster. I mean, I get it, make friends, even in space. Enjoy your surroundings. Have fun. Learn.
And I did kind of dig the pages of no text in the middle of the book to show the action and entertainment without needing to say anything, but it felt incomplete as a whole story.
And I did kind of dig the pages of no text in the middle of the book to show the action and entertainment without needing to say anything, but it felt incomplete as a whole story.
December 23, 2019
The conceit of the astronaut having to ask permission to go outside from ground control was hilarious and I'm sure very relatable to young readers. This is fun little adventure with some pages containing no words, giving readers the opportunity to tell part of the story themselves. Extra points for the astronaut having to eat Brussels Sprouts through a straw.
November 4, 2019
Colorful illustrations but not much of a story in this leanly worded story of a close encounter.
October 5, 2021
An astronaut wants to go on a space walk. Command control tells him to eat some lunch and clean up the space ship before he goes out. He does his chores and heads out into space. He meets and new friend and enjoys his time in space. He comes back late and when he asks if he can go again he is told to eat some dinner and go to bed; he can go out tomorrow.
Children will enjoy the similarities to their own requests for permission.
Children will enjoy the similarities to their own requests for permission.
March 24, 2019
Very cute. Wonderful illustrations. Cheeky, independent spirit. // But the dedication for the "first man in space" confused me --> Yuri Gagarin and Alan Shepard were the first men in space, right? Or does having "Lane Smith" as the first man in space refer to the illustrator or the actor and a reference I don't get?
October 30, 2019
I wish this book would have been released this summer for the Moon walk anniversary! However, this is a super cute story and I think a lot of little Astronauts are going to love it. Wonderful illustrations and a cute story about a Astronaut that has to clean up before going on a space walk and told he has to be back before dinner (remind you of anyone?).
January 7, 2020
Randolph the astronaut is bored and alone in space and must ask permission before he walks outside and explores. Ground control and the special things an astronaut much endure is fun to learn about with this whimsical character. Bt what happens when he takes photos of the creatures outside is fun and worth the read even with mostly illustrations and few words.
January 8, 2020
Randolph the Astronaut is bored in space and he wants to take a walk. We've all been there. However, ground control wants him to tidy up before he can go out - and doesn't want to talk him to talk to strangers. The plot is loose, very much not the main thing, so don't worry about it and enjoy the cool art and silly writing.
April 5, 2020
Love the illustrations in this clever take on an astronaut in search of.... You’ll have to read it to find out! This is a better choice for one-on-one sharing or a small group, rather than a large Storytime.
Not a wordless picture book, but one with few words and great for talking about the illustrations.
Not a wordless picture book, but one with few words and great for talking about the illustrations.
May 16, 2020
A charming, relatable picture book about an astronaut who just wants to go outside and play. Author/illustrator Brian Biggs really shines in the wordless space scenes, with candy-colored planets filling the atmosphere and some funny character work between the astronaut and his unidentified flying friend.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
December 4, 2023
Fun book that starts out as a traditional picture book. But once Randolph is cleared to take a space walk, boom, the illustrations go to full color and the words become those the reader comes up with. Might experiment with this one to see what the kids come up with to narrate Randolph's space walk.
February 25, 2025
Astronaut Randolph Witherspoon is bored on his space mission and wants to go for a walk. Ground Control clears permission-on certain conditions.
Randolph is quite surprised at what he finds in space and he's glad he took his camera along to capture the memories.
Any young "space explorer" will enjoy the comical illustrations in this stellar book.
Randolph is quite surprised at what he finds in space and he's glad he took his camera along to capture the memories.
Any young "space explorer" will enjoy the comical illustrations in this stellar book.
April 9, 2019
"I'm bored and I want to take a walk!" It's a little more difficult when you're in space, but it is definitely worth the wait! Be sure you bring your camera on a spacewalk; you never know what you'll find! Engaging illustrations with myriad details to find within each image.
September 28, 2020
Semi-Wordless Picturebook (words for the first portion and last portion but the middle section of the book is wordless)
Such a cute comparison of a little kid (Randolph Witherspoon) going outside and their parent (Ground Control) making sure they stay safe and come home before dinner.
Such a cute comparison of a little kid (Randolph Witherspoon) going outside and their parent (Ground Control) making sure they stay safe and come home before dinner.
May 25, 2022
Fun story about an astronaut in space and the hang they can do.
Note* Ground control tells him "Don't to talk to strangers!" but then he takes pictures with and hugs a space alien goodbye with plans to see it tomorrow too.
Note* Ground control tells him "Don't to talk to strangers!" but then he takes pictures with and hugs a space alien goodbye with plans to see it tomorrow too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2022
My son loved this book! The illustrations are fun and it is not overly wordy which is perfect for my 20 month old. We got this from the library but may end up buying it because it was in such high demand.
January 28, 2023
This is a simple book about a bored astronaut who has a good time going on a space walk and meeting an alien. The dialogue from mission control will remind many children of the things their parents say. The selfies got a laugh from parents.
September 18, 2023
I thought this was super funny. It was actually quite realistic for a little while, but they did it in a way that made ground control like the mommy and the astronaut the kid. And then the whole thing with the alien was just hilarious. Loved it. I think kids will love it too.
October 31, 2019
Colorful and fun little story of an astronauts' adventures while exploring outside his spaceship.
November 9, 2019
Oh my gosh this is the book we needed.
November 21, 2019
adorable
December 3, 2019
274/365
December 13, 2019
Cute illustrations show an astronaut's space walk one day.
The "don't talk to strangers" line seemed weird. Is the point that you should talk to strangers if they are aliens?
The "don't talk to strangers" line seemed weird. Is the point that you should talk to strangers if they are aliens?
December 27, 2019
Cute book
February 3, 2020
A cute book with lots of wordless pictures about an astronaunt who wants to head out for space walk and when he finally does he meets a new friend. Preschool and up
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews