The space between by Jess McGeachin

Two young boys, Max and Milo, are next-door neighbours and best friends. They are inseparable, and enjoy their time spent together playing, building, racing and stargazing on Sunday nights. They love all things space-related and are even preparing an old abandoned car to use as a rocket to travel into space.

After a time, Milo does not come over to do all the things the boys used to do together. Max finds out that Milo is leaving and feels a sense of loneliness and emptiness. Milo, though, has left something for Max in their rocket ship. It is a page of space facts about distances and Max realises that he can still keep in touch with Milo. That he is not so far away compared to distances in space.

The Space Between is a beautifully told story that shares a delightful friendship filled with joy and imagination between two young children. The bold and colourful illustrations, set in rural Australia, are visually stunning. They showcase the big wide landscapes of both the land and the night sky in gorgeous hues. The endpapers share some clever fun facts and are the perfect accompaniment to this wonderful story.

Themes: Space, Friendship, Change, Leaving, Imagination, Feelings, Families.

Kathryn Beilby