Cayuso, Ainhoa. Aiko and the Planet of Dogs. Christoffer Ellegaard, Illus. Translated from the French by Irene Vazquez. Levine Querido, 10/2024. [24]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-64614-464-8. GRADES Kindergarten–3. ADDITIONAL.
Aiko, a young girl with light tan skin and dark hair in buns, is a courageous astronaut on a mission to find a planet that supports life. Unfortunately, the planet she finds is inhabited by dogs sent on space missions who are now hiding from Earth humans. At first the dogs won’t let Aiko leave, but then she saves them from an enormous creature and they let her go, hoping she will keep their existence hidden. Digital and gouache illustrations depict the comic-like, action-packed adventure, the wide variety of dogs on the planet, and Aiko’s efforts to return to Earth with good news about her planet search. Space voyages and dogs sent to space are interesting subjects that elementary readers may find intriguing.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library