Martian Rock

Title: Martian Rock
Author: Carol Diggory Shields
Illustrated: Scott Nash
Published: Candlewick Press, Cambridge, Massachussetts
Date: 1999
Summary: A group of Martians looking for life on the different planets in the solar system make a surprising discovery just as they are about to give up.
Age Level: Primary (Kindergarten to 2)
Strengths: I like how the Martians are going to the different planet as if it was a road trip (an adventure) with different "road signs" poining them to the different planets and I like how they describe each planet (though not in order because they start from Mars). They don't exactly say the name of the planet, but they describe it and call it "Orb Number nine, etc" This would be great to learn about the different planets in the solar system, where they are and what they are like. I also like the drawings of the Martians. Each of them have a different space suit on and different patterned noses and ears. It was very cute when they went to "Orb Number Three" as their last stop because they were about to give up, when all of a sudden, they meet some penguins! They begin to play and learn from the penguins and they have fun. They gave the penguins a rock from Mars and they accepted it happily.
Concerns: The text was certainly interesting and at first, you would think it's written in the form of a poem, but it goes from being a structured to more of a free verse poem in the story. It might confuse students who are learning about structured poetry. Also, I wonder why the illustrator and the author decided the Martians to meet penguins instead of humans?
Comments: This would be an excellent story to learn about the solar system and the reader can guess which planet is which and see if they can name the ones described in the story.