The Cosmic Adventures of Astrid and Stella (A Hello!Lucky Book)

In three chaotic chapters, the ever-effervescent Hello!Lucky team (You Are Fantastic!) launches a graphic novel series starring two high-flying BFFs: Astrid, a unicorn with an Elvis-worthy pink mane, and Stella, a tangerine-hued flying squirrel. Chapter 1 finds the duo’s space travel plans derailed when their rocket explodes on the launch pad, and Astrid admits setting the turbo pump to “deep fry” rather than “blast off” (“I was feeling a little peckish”). Declaring in rat-a-tat-tat progression “We can do hard things,” “Mistakes are proof you’re trying,” and “Progress, not perfection!” they turn to their Jeeves-like robot butler, Bobo, to build a new rocket, pausing for snacks and a dance break. Hurtling into Chapter 2 and a rescue mission to Caturn (“Cutest planet in the galaxy”), they liberate the adorable kitty population from a Blofeld wannabe named Kittywonkus. And in the concluding chapter’s visit to beachy Bloop, they give a socially awkward whale a confidence boost by proffering swim goggles and advice. With irrepressible protagonists, non-stop wordplay, and trippy, candy-colored visuals, this book leans hard into cartoon-level cuteness and cheer. Ages 6–9. (Sept.)