Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket

In this STEM-focused tale of pretend, Sadie is determined to be the first person to land on Mars. She assembles her crew--an animate stuffed rabbit, owl, and bear--and with their help and some junkyard scavenging, builds a blastoff-worthy rocket ship outside. Fliess's (Flash and Gleam) lighthearted quatrain text clearly delineates what's required of a leader: Sadie keeps the crew motivated ("She knew it would be tough./ But Sadie kept their spirits up./ 'We'll be there soon enough!' "), and she shows tenacity and ingenuity in the face of a Martian sandstorm and a grounded ship. Bright and bouncy colors underscore the spirit of adventure, and Tempest's (the Babylit series) cartooned drawings have a freewheeling spontaneity that's well suited to the idea of Sadie going where her mind takes her. Back matter contributes facts about Mars and women in space. Ages 3-7. Author's agent: Jennifer Unter, the Unter Agency. Illustrator's agent: James Burns, the Bright Agency. (Feb.)