Mr Chicken goes to Mars by Leigh Hobbs

Glorious Mr Chicken returns as he realises that he has been everywhere, including London, Paris and around Australia, but never been to outer space. He calls in to see Boris the rocket builder and gives him the instructions. Ready in a week he is told, and sure enough when Mr Chicken returns there is his space ship, all shiny and new. After getting instructions, armed with his lunch and helmet, Mr Chicken is ready to go, but the smile on his face disappears as he grapples with the instruction book and all the levers and buttons to press. But he is pleased that he no longer has all the household chores to do (see the first endpaper!)

He successfully navigates the passing meteor, waves at a passing Martian and has lunch at the space station. Next landing is on Mars.  Here he is welcomed and autographs and photos taken. It is soon time to leave and he splashes down into the ocean where Boris finds him and brings him back home. The best place to have a good night’s rest is at home, Mr Chicken decides.

This disarming story of exploration and adventure, reveals the sense of expanding horizons and taking risks, of journeys and meeting new people. Mr Chicken takes a leap into outer space, finding new friends in another space ship, on the space station and on Mars. He finds that space is nice but home is best, especially when talking about a good night’s rest.

Readers will love Mr Chicken’s exploration, going along with him as he tries to master the control panel, avoid the meteor as it comes by, and navigate his way home, bobbing around in the sea, avoiding a shark that would like a treat, and finally being picked up by Boris.

Hobbs uses many words: lower thrust transmitter, turbo pump injector, fusion force fluctuator, amongst others which give a nod to scientific words that could be real, bringing a laugh to the reading audience. I loved watching Mr Chicken’s smile as it progresses through the story. And kids will delight in the gadgetry in the cockpit, the Martians, the scenes in outer space and the touchdown in the ocean. What a journey for them to follow. And there are four other Mr Chicken books as he visits Paris, London, Rome and Australia.

Themes: Space, Adventure, STEM, Exploration, Mars, Mr Chicken.

Fran Knight