SuitabookLaika the Astronaut
Owen Davey
- Reading
- Before reading, decide whether to present this as fantasy based on a real dog. Afterwards, name the boundary between the invented rescue and Laika’s historical fate rather than leaving it implicit.
- Themes
- History and imaginative retelling: The book addresses history and imaginative retelling; the detail of how it is developed remains unclear. The book offers consolation through fantasy, but the altered ending can obscure or soften the historical harm unless the distinction is discussed.
- Animals, loneliness and human choices: The book concerns an animal, loneliness and space exploration; the detail of how these are developed remains unclear. The book leaves its stance open to more than one reading.
- Worth knowing
- The book includes loneliness, separation and the death associated with Laika’s real story, although its own ending is described as a rescue and new home. This contrast may need gentle explanation.