Publishers Weekly Starred Review This clever story set in New York City celebrates the power of dreams and ideas. With an understated style, Chambers, a newcomer to children''s books, creates the rocket scientist Doctor Gass, whose brain brims with "mathematical certainty," and Finn, an imaginative boy who comes to stay with him and wonders where the man keeps his rockets ("In a very secret and unusual place," the doctor replies). Just before midnight, a wolflike Night Thing appears at Finn''s window and invites him to the Man in the Moon''s birthday party the next night. But Doctor Gass says the moon is made of rock, not cheese, and "there is no Man in the Moon to eat it." Chambers subtly creates a likeness between the good doctor and the Man in the Moon (watch the portrait on Finn''s wall). When Finn sees rocket-shaped boilers on top of city apartment buildings, he exclaims, "I know where you hide your rockets!" Even as the doctor denies it, he seems to suppress a gasp. And when Finn does indeed fly to the party in a water tower rocket, he meets a moon man in a union suit who bears a striking resemblance to his earthly host. Using thick black lines filled with bright washes of color, Chambers depicts a joyous planetary romp, complete with gravity-free bouncing and playing in moon caves.
The ending suggests that science and imagination live side by side, a moral that will amuse any child who has ever been frustrated by an adult''s know-it-all logic. Booklist Chambers'' first picture book is a subversive fantasy that celebrates the power of imagination. Young Finn is rocket crazy, so he is delighted to visit New York City and stay with the famous Dr. Gass, a rocket scientist. He is frustrated, though, when he can''t find any rockets and when Dr. Gass debunks some of his favorite beliefs--the Man on the Moon, for example. But when a magical creature visits Finn''s bedroom window and invites him to a party, Finn realizes that Dr. Gass'' "mathematical certainties" aren''t always correct, especially when, the following evening, Finn and the "Night Thing" rocket to a wild birthday party on the moon.
This whimsical, challenging story leaves plenty of things unexplained (Is Dr. Gass related to Finn?), but children will easily connect with Finn''s triumph as his world of unquantifiable mystery and magic proves to be real. Chambers'' lively, boldly outlined paintings, filled with sly humor, will transport kids to a joyous nighttime rumpus reminiscent of Max''s visit with the Wild Things. School Library Journal An imaginative romp to New York City, the Moon, and back. While visiting Doctor Gass, Finn asks the famous scientist where he keeps his rockets, but the man refuses to tell. When the boy inquires about the Man in the Moon and the cheese, the scientist refutes the notion that they exist. But at midnight, a strange gray hound floats by Finn''s window and invites him to the Man in the Moon''s birthday party the following night. Again, the doctor has a scientific explanation.
When the Night Thing returns, it ushers the child up to the roof where a "rocket"-a water tank-is waiting for liftoff. Finn thoroughly enjoys himself at the festivities. His host, dressed in blue long underwear, explains that he has eaten all the cheese but offers his guest a cream puff. The next morning, Doctor Gass discovers a red rocket parked in the middle of the street and the half-eaten dessert. "RIDICULOUS!" he exclaims. This talented author/illustrator has created a funny picture book using free-flowing illustrations that at times have several scenes balanced on a page. His powerful, brightly colored spreads add to the jovial text. Outlined in thick, black ink and with hand-penned commentary, the art playfully pokes fun at the wispy-haired, nearly bald Doctor Gass, who bears a strong resemblance to the Man in the Moon.