The Rooftop Rocket Party

by Roland Chambers

A boy with a passion for rockets heads to New York and discovers--to his amazement and delight--that the water tanks adorning the city's rooftops are really rocket ships and that the Man-in-the-Moon is giving a birthday party. A quirky, delightful text and distinctive illustrations make this a notable picture book debut.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Space

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storytime- Summer Reading. I had kids participate while I read this. Before we began I was able to find a real picture of the moon and how people see a man on the moon. I also printed out a picture of the moon which looks like cheese. They enjoyed the background ideas that presented come up in the story. It is a great story to work on predictions. We also talked about how big the distance between the moon and the earth. The relationship between Dr. Gass and Finn is fun, with one being all about the numbers and Finn being imaginative- even seeing rockets where there are rooftop water towers. The kids got a kick out of the man showering. The illustrations help bridge fact and imagination. I highly recommend it for this year’s theme “A Universe of Stories”.

[Juliej · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure why only one other person has reviewed this book. It was so cute. Funny Dr. Gass who is a rocket scientist and Finn who thought for sure the moon was made of cheese. Dr. Gass tells him it just is not mathematically possible for space travel but in his dreams Finn finds otherwise. Very cute illustrations, full of color and detail. I'd give it 3.5 if I could.

[Tim Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent picture book that hits on a lot of educational concepts: space travel, the moon, water systems, and others. It is fairly entertaining. I have not tried it in a story time yet but intend to today and will report how receptive the children are to the story.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finn has many questions about such things as the moon and rockets while visiting Dr. Gass, who always has a scientific explanation, but can he explain a party invitation from the Man in the Moon?

[Anna Lacina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another favorite of Julian's. I like the language. And the "night thing."