Arty the Part-Time Astronaut [Paperback]

Eddie Carbin (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up

Arty the Part-Time Astronaut follows the outer space adventures of a young boy and his new-found extraterrestrial friend. Future astronauts and astronomers will be exposed to the many wonders of the universe as they travel through the farthest reaches of our solar system with these two young explorers. This interactive title is a cutting edge, edutainiment 3 piece set: a beautifully illustrated book, a graphically engaging, interactive CD-ROM, and membership in an exclusive, dynamic internet website.

Beautiful Book
Enjoy thirty-six pages of stunning, colorful, computer-rendered art take you on a visit to the many locations in the solar system. Among the many adventures, readers will see where the astronauts landed on the moon, skim the surface of the sun, and even trek all the way to Pluto.

Interactive CD-ROM
The CD-ROM picks up where the book ends, continuing the exciting and educational adventure through our solar system. With a PC or Macintosh computer, play challenging games and discover many new facts such as how much you would weigh on Jupiter and how long it would take for you to fly to the Moon in the family car.

Dynamic Internet Website
The adventure continues when you log on. This site will entertain and educate with current discoveries in space news and monthly updates of games and learning activities. With your purchase of the book you automatically become an “Astro Ranger” and are allowed access to even more games and activities online.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-Explore the Solar System with Arty the Part-Time Astronaut and his alien friend, Guplo. The adventure begins with the book, and continues with the CD-ROM and the Web site. Of the three components, the book is the weak link. The story is functional. Guplo takes Arty on a tour of the solar system to find his space vehicle. The story is set apart in text boxes with computer graphics. Difficult vocabulary words and fact boxes are on the page in similar text boxes, which makes reading awkward. The computer graphics are interesting and the pictures of the planets are wonderful. After a basic overview of the solar system, Guplo and Arty continue the adventure on the CD-ROM. It begins with Guplo and Arty going back to outer space, and this is where the interaction begins. When Arty and Guplo "talk" it is through callouts, and no sound is made, which impedes the flow of reading. After selecting which planet to travel to, basic facts, lunar information, and mythology related to the planet's name are presented. Other activities on the CD-ROM include identifying the planets, answering informational questions about the planets, relative weight and age (if I weigh 100 lbs. on Earth, how much will I weigh on Planet X?), and relative travel time in outer space. There is also a section of arcade-type games. The Web site (www.artyastro.com) has features similar to the CD-ROM. Membership is included with the purchase of the CD-ROM although some functions are available without membership. The games have high scores listed, allowing students the opportunity to compete with others from around the country. Arty the Part-Time Astronaut is a well produced, fun way to learn about the solar system. While the story is minimal, the graphics are pleasing and the activities relevant and interesting.
Sharon Lawrence, Downers Grove Public Library, IL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This CD-ROM/book set teaches children facts about outer space in a playful way." -- The Review Corner, June 2000

"We got a real kick out of this program’s refreshing approach to teaching about the planets." -- Children’s Software Revue, May/June 2000

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 36 pages
• Publisher: 3 Pounds Press (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967529905
• ISBN-13: 978-0967529905
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.7 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,590,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educational and still fun, March 20, 2000

By 

john "netw1z" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arty the Part-Time Astronaut (Paperback)

A really colorful fun journey into our solar-system. My kids learned a lot , and as a science guy myself , learn a few things too.

Really inventive games and activitives on the cd-rom give this title life.

Highly recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my own personal spaceship, March 20, 2000

By 

Albert (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arty the Part-Time Astronaut (Paperback)

What a fun way to learn about our solar system through beautiful graphics and a charming storyline. The accompanying CD-ROM is packed with interactive games and activities that make "learning" an addictive and exciting experience.

The perfect book for all of those children who say, "I wanna grow up to become an astronaut!"

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, March 2, 2000

By 

Philip Co (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arty the Part-Time Astronaut (Paperback)

This was a wonderful book. It has incredible graphics and art, and it taught me a lot that I should know about the solar system. The CD-ROM was really impressive. The games are addicting.