Feel-good ending to space dog story

Author Owen Davey has copped some criticism for his version of Laika's story. Laika, a stray dog picked up on the streets of Moscow, was trained then sent into space in 1957, dying within hours of launch.

Davey glosses over the negative aspects of Laika's training, testing and death (it is a kids' book, after all) but also decided to add a feel-good ending, in which Laika is adopted by a loving family of blue aliens.

It's a bit weird. Story aside, the illustrations are very cool with a muted, communist-era feel.

Ages 2-5.

- Laura Hewson