Nostalgia read! This was a favorite book in childhood. Sadly, the newer edition I bought doesn't have the lovely illustrations featuring the onion-headed Mr. Bass, like the one I read as a child did. Also, I wonder if I realized that this book was hella old already when I was reading it in the late 80s/early 90s?

David Topman, a little boy, wants a planet just his size to explore. His father shows him an ad in the paper asking for a spaceship built by a boy - the paper is black and white, but this notice is in green! The ad was placed by Mr. Bass, a little old man who just might be from another planet. A planet named Basidium-X. A planet that's small, perfect for a little boy to explore. Thus begins David's space adventures!

This book is just as fun as I remembered. There is an absurdly short time span on every action in the book - David and his friend Chuck must build their spaceship in a matter of days, they can only stay on the planet for 2 hours, etc. - however, this makes for a cracking, fast-paced story.

The only thing I didn't like was how rushed their visit to the planet was. I wanted more Basidiumite action! More mushroom-centric housing and industry! However, I suppose that's what the other books in the series cover. I've actually never read those so it's a mystery, like Mr. Bass's inventions.

Highlight of the story:

Spoiler

Mr. Bass being a spore person that just blew away to another adventure.

Amazing.

Adorable story...maybe for next year's read-alouds?

"In print since the 1950s, the Mushroom Planet series is back with a new design by illustrator Kevin Hawkes. Don t miss the adventures of Chuck and David, two boys who travel to the alien planet Basidium in their homemade spaceship. This timeless series is a classic that is sure to be read over and over again."

I would have loved this at age ten...

Great Jumping Kaddildefish! A whimsical kids book!

This may have been the book that introduced me to science fiction. I loved it so much I read it over and over again, until I discovered there were other authors who wrote sci-fi and fantasy. I recommend it for about fifth grade and up, and it's definitely not going to appeal to older teens, but it's a cute, quirky story and a very quick read. Don't let the publish date scare you away. It's been around for a very long time, but that's part of the appeal. I read it again recently and found it was still really enjoyable.

#classroomlibrary

And this was likely the start of a lifelong affair with SF.....

Childhood favorite. Re-read for nostalgia and still enjoyed it.

It was my first ever visit to a library and I was completely enamored of the American space program. I noticed a slim volume with an illustration of a perfect, boy-sized spaceship on the cover.

I took it home, read it, loved it. I have never stopped reading since. I very likely owe my dedication to reading to this book.

Read for Ryan's book discussion group