Using a two-in-one-format for his first outing as an author, Fischer (illus. of Peter Pan in Scarlet
) interprets the song “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” from the perspectives of an earthling boy and his alien counterpart. After reading one version, readers can flip the book over and enjoy the other. The two stories converge at a “pop-open” center that extends the height of the spread (younger children will require assistance managing this bit of paper engineering). The parallel narratives open with each boy launching himself into space: the earth boy uses a tricycle tied to helium balloons and a skateboard ramp, while the alien blasts off in a sailing ship. When meteors pummel the two spacecraft, the boys discover each other adrift with their respective pet dogs; the center spread reveals that they have somehow managed to jerry-rig a two-man vessel from the debris. The digitally rendered pictures have the slightly smeared textures and bouncy colors of graffiti, and there are plenty of nifty details—the game-but-dubious pooches, one of which is a robot, are especially fun to follow. But the wide-eyed characterizations are an oleaginous cross between anime and kitschy Keane paintings; despite their surplus of energy, the renderings have a flat quality that makes it hard to know where to focus. All in all, a bumpy voyage. Ages 2-6. (Aug.)
