McDonald, Megan. Stink and Webster Go to Mars. Erwin Madrid, Illus. Judy Moody and Friends; bk. 15. Candlewick, 03/2024. 60pp. Reader. Trade $14.99. 978-1-5362-2869-4. Paper $6.99. 978-1-53622-913-4. GRADES 1–3. ADDITIONAL.
Stink and his best friend Webster have their first sleepover at Stink’s house, where they pretend to fly a rocket to Mars and explore the planet. Told in three chapters, the text uses full pages of text set down in paragraphs, paired with full-color illustrations that look like airbrushed television animation cells. The book design is similar to Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series (Candlewick, 2005), which is popular with children moving up from beginning readers but who are not quite ready yet for transitional chapter books. The story gracefully weaves in facts about Mars, has humor, and includes Judy Moody, Stink’s older sister who is featured in her own book series. Although Stink and his family are white, his best friend Webster Gomez is Latinx, with brown skin and black hair. A solid entry in a series that doesn’t break new ground but is entertaining.
Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool