Get ready to blast off on a brand-new space-based adventure created by award-winning author and illustrator Alex T. Smith in “Astrid and the Space Cadets! Attack of the Snailiens!”
We are thrilled and delighted to showcase Astrid and the Space Cadets, a hilarious brand-new illustrated fiction series for younger readers. Alex shares his home with a number of small dogs and a gaggle of obstinate chickens who supply endless inspiration for the characters in his stories. Alex has an intuitive talent for storytelling and character creation such as the Netflix sensation Claude, the zany Coop Troop showing on ITVX and Winston the mouse who has quickly become a festive staple for many families. Alex has an innate skill for building his cast members, from their clothing and mannerisms to their language, expressions, and quirks. He also takes great pride in the research process behind each project, with his attention to detail and passion for storytelling oozing from everything he creates.
5,4,3,2,1...are you ready for lift off this brand new series Astrid and the Space Cadets?
Astrid Atomic is a 6 year old, who goes to bed every night just like every other 6 year old. But unlike other 6 year olds she doesn't stay there. As soon as the Space Cadet siren goes off WHOOSH she blasts off on board the spaceship Stardust. Astrid joins her pals Beryl, Professor Quackers and Zoink in their crazy, adventurous missions!
A message from the creator himself . . .
GREETINGS! Thank you for applying to join our team of intrepid and intergalactic helpers and finder-outers. Your skills as Interplanetary Bookworms are greatly appreciated by the entire galaxy. Having carefully considered your application we think you are exactly who we need to join our ranks. As such, we are delighted to confirm that you are now OFFICIALLY a Space Cadet!
To help acclimatise you to your new role we introduce you to the Space Cadet’s first adventure, starring Astrid Atomic and her alien pals Beryl, Professor Quackers and Zoink. In Astrid and the Space Cadets: Attack of the Snailiens, the gang find themselves faced with a gigantic problem; an invasion of enormous SNAILIENS! Can Astrid and her pals save the day and win a star for their Superstar Cosmic Star Chart? You’ll have to read the book to find out . . .
These books were inspired by my childhood yearning to be a space adventurer, and the hours spent playing with my spaceship (the under stairs cupboard at my grandparents house) with my Space Blaster raygun (my grandmother’s handheld whisk). TV shows like The Jetsons, which so brilliantly mixed the everyday with the extraordinary and the futuristic, provided me with lots of inspiration for my imaginary play. I have also always loved the pulp sci-fi novels and magazines of the 1950s and 60s, which heavily influenced the illustrations in Astrid and the Space Cadets. Space always seemed to provide endless possibilities for adventures amidst the great starry universe, and I’m so excited that I’ve found the perfect story to set there. I hope this series will inspire readers in a similar way. Play and playfulness is such an important tool to help explore the world, and it would bring me so much joy to think that joining the Space Cadets ranks could help a reader navigate the universe around them.
This is the first book in the Astrid and the Space Cadets series for new and newly confident readers aged 5+. The second book, Race from Planet Peril will publish in July 2024, and more titles will follow in 2025.
I hope you enjoy this first adventure.
BUCKLE UP (click!) and get ready to BLAST OFF with your new adventurous pals!
With best, star-filled wishes
from
ALEX T. SMITH
Head of Intergalactic Communications.
You can see more illustrations from book one in this series here, we hope you love them as much as we do.
"Astrid and the Space Cadets! is just the kind of book I would have loved to read as a child. Alex's wonderful witty writing is full of humour, adventure and I adore his fabulous character creations - the Snailiens! - genius! I'm glad we don't have any in our garden." - Illustrator Jim Field
“Astrid and the Space Cadets! made me BEAM with joy, full of OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD characters and illustrations.” – Illustrator Steven Lenton
Astrid and the Space Cadets Attack of the Snailiens goes stratospheric on 7th March.
Book two in the series Astrid and the Space Cadets! Race from Planet Peril! publishes in July – PRE ORDER HERE
You can view Alex T Smith's incredible online portfolio HERE keep your eyes peeled for announcements on social media regarding Alex’s forthcoming events and signings.
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