Tag Archives: specimens

A 24 page illustrated children’s book. Scientists on earth send a rover to Mars to collect some specimens.

Meanwhile a little Mars rover travels to Earth to collect items that might prove Martians once lived there.

The story with fun illustrations, also explains why we sometimes lose things and don’t know where they have gone.

Order through Author’s Website

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

In real life, on November 26, 2011, NASA scientists sent a rover (Curiosity) to Mars to discover if the planet ever possessed the proper environmental conditions to support small life forms called microbes. This burning question has the rover exploring and collecting rock, soil, and air samples. That mission was real; what occurred in this children’s book is loosely based on those events.

As Earth’s rover was roaming and analyzing the terrain in this fictional children’s book, P.E.T.R.A. (Pink. Extra. Terrestrial. Roving. Accumulator.) was embarking on a mission for their home planet: Mars. P.E.T.R.A. arrived as a streak of light in the night sky. Its arrival did not go unnoticed, but the McKay family had no idea what landed in their yard. Grandpa and Dad set the unidentified flying object on the hall table and went to bed, unaware of what would occur. As the family slept, P.E.T.R.A. changed from a stationary pink “egg” to a walking pink “egg.” It had two eyes, a mouth, green objects posing as ears, mechanical arms and legs, and sprouts of yellow hair. It was an adorable extraterrestrial being. Maybe even cuter than the notorious E.T.

P.E.T.R.A. went room to room, collecting items that would prove (Mars) Martians once called Earth home. Children will giggle at one bedside piece of “evidence” P.E.T.R.A. took back to Mars and presented to her superiors. They will probably snicker at the key item that gave the aliens hope that Earth housed some of their relatives. 

I recommend sharing this family or class. Its plotline is packed with humor, and the illustrations will have you smiling. It creates opportunities to discuss the possibility of alien life. Ask your child if they believe aliens have ever visited Earth or if they think aliens might be calling another planet home. Ask your child to design their own extraterrestrial visitor.  

At only twenty-four pages, P.E.T.R.A. The Little Earth Rover From Mars is a quick read, perfect for preschoolers and elementary students.