Max Goes to Mars: A Science Adventure with Max the Dog (Science Adventures with Max the Dog series) [Hardcover]

Jeffrey Bennett (Author), Alan Okamoto (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2003 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Science Adventures with Max the Dog series

Max gets ready to go on the first human mission to Mars. This time, his mission is to help the human crew in the search for life on Mars, while providing the comfort that only a dog can offer on a journey that lasts more than two years. With sidebars on science lessons, this picture book also has a take-home message about the beauty and fragility of planet Earth.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Learning Magazine Teachers' Choice for Children's Books Award, 2010

Creative Child Magazine's 2009 Preferred Choice Award, Educational Books for Kids category

Max Goes to Mars is the Young Voices Foundation 2009 Gold winner for picture books in the Legacy category, for copyright prior to 2009

"Fuels young readers’ interest in space travel, while explaining difficult scientific concepts in an easy-to-understand manner."  —Mercury Magazine

"A rousing success . . . Its brisk plot is enhanced both by Alan Okamoto’s colorful illustrations and  by clearly explained scientific information."  —National Science Teachers Association

"A book that can easily grow with the child . . . [It] conveys the excitement associated with scientific discovery."  —Astronomy Education Review

"A great book for elementary school-age kids that  might be even better suited to adults [with its] answers to the most commonly asked questions about Mars."  —Sky and Telescope

About the Author

Jeffrey Bennett is an astrophysicist and educator who proposed the idea for and helped develop the Voyage Scale Model Solar System—the first science-oriented exhibit approved for permanent installation on the National Mall in Washington, DC. He is the lead author of bestselling college textbooks in four distinct disciplines: astronomy, mathematics, statistics, and astrobiology. He lives in Boulder, Colorado. Alan Okamoto is a children's book illustrator and a space artist who has done commissioned work for the Air Force, numerous aerospace corporations, and college textbooks. He lives in Lodi, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Big Kid Science (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972181911
• ISBN-13: 978-0972181914
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 11.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #283,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeffrey Bennett holds a B.A. in Biophysics from the University of California, San Diego, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. His extensive experience in research and education includes serving two years as a Visiting Senior Scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC; creating research and education projects for the Hubble Space Telescope and other NASA missions; proposing and helping to develop the Voyage Scale Model Solar System on the National Mall in Washington, DC; and teaching at every level from preschool through graduate school. He is the author of best-selling college textbooks in astronomy, astrobiology, mathematics, and statistics, as well as author of two books for the general public (On the Cosmic Horizon and Beyond UFOs) and of the award-winning children's books Max Goes to the Moon, Max Goes to Mars, and Max Goes to Jupiter. For more information, visit www.jeffreybennett.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Science for Childrean, September 13, 2006

By 

J. Nasse "book lover/educator" (New Mexico, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Max Goes to Mars: A Science Adventure with Max the Dog (Science Adventures with Max the Dog series) (Hardcover)

How does a dog go to Mars? This charming, yet realistic, book written by Dr. Jeffrey Bennett, tell us just how a dog and astronauts may take the first manned spaceship to Mars. Max Goes to Mars is jam-packed with interesting scientific facts and information in fictional story form, which always appeals to young readers. Even better, the scientific information is explained fully in readable, understandable terms without over-simplifying as can happen in children's books.

The illustrations by Alan Okamoto make a perfect marriage with story, which is the ideal for picture books. The paintings also convey a technical detail and knowledge that young readers will pour over time and again, always finding something new to discover. Almost every page has sidebars for the readers who want to learn more about the science of space travel, Mars, and the ancient mythology about the planets. As well, there is an activity page near the end, which demonstrates the orbit of Mars through a movement exercise. Most special are the photographs of the real Max at the end. They are heartwarming and will bring the readers closer to Max and his adventures.

This book is extraordinary as it brings so many elements together in a nice harmony. Teachers will also find this book to be a marvelous core for the space unit. Most highly recommended for ages 4 - 10 and classrooms from pre-school through fifth grade.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, December 5, 2011

By 

S.Cutt - See all my reviews

This review is from: Max Goes to Mars: A Science Adventure with Max the Dog (Science Adventures with Max the Dog series) (Hardcover)

Simply put -- this is a great book! It's filled with lots of interesting facts, and has beautiful rich artwork that really draws you in. I'd recommend this for young and old kids alike! It's a fun way to read about the intriguing planet, Mars.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Max Goes to Mars, November 18, 2011

By 

spost - See all my reviews

This review is from: Max Goes to Mars: A Science Adventure with Max the Dog (Science Adventures with Max the Dog series) (Hardcover)

Wonderful!! One can read these books over and over and learn something new each time. They are loaded with science and are informative to all levels of budding scientists! I highly recommend them!