About the book

Elizabeth is a precocious middle-school-age student who loves science.

In Elizabeth Goes to Mars! she is watching a TV interview about going to Mars and falls asleep. She starts dreaming of an actual trip to Mars. Her adventure with her dog, Rigel, reflects just a few of the challenges we will face if we want to live on Mars. This book is intended to support a grade school science curriculum that includes a unit on space but it stands on its own as an educational and fun read. Readers will learn how different Mars and Earth are. They will also be introduced to some of the many technologies needed to travel to Mars, grow plants, prepare foods, obtain water, and more.

Elizabeth and Rigel dream about going to Mars
In the plant house on Mars

Where can I buy the book?

I really enjoyed reading it

It’s visually stunning—I love the art and the colour palette. The art is alive with movement and fun touches, and it is well connected to the text. Having her go to Mars with her mother was a perfect “girl power” touch. The text is full of interesting science content about living on Mars. I learned something new

Sheila Stephenson, amateur astronomer

The great new book from Betty Robinson

What would it be like to go to Mars? School age readers can find out in an entertaining manner in Elizabeth Goes to Mars!, the great new book from Betty Robinson. While enjoying the tale of young Elizabeth’s trip to Mars with her dog Rigel, readers will learn about space travel in general and Mars in particular. I look forward to more of Elizabeth’s adventures!

Chris Gainor, Spaceflight Historian and Editor of Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly

Wow! We get to fly…

Wow! We get to fly, in our imagination, with a happy mom and daughter (and their dog) and learn a terrific amount about Mars and what living there would be like. The illustrations are great.

 

Paul Fjeld, Space Artist

Ever since I was a small child in 1961, I’ve wanted to go to Mars.

Ever since I was a small child in 1961, I’ve wanted to go to Mars. This book makes me feel like I’ve made the trip! The illustrations convey the alien beauty of the Red Planet, while Betty Robinson’s text tackles the many challenges humans will have to solve before they can actually make the journey. Elizabeth, her mom, and their dog Rigel show us the way in this imaginative and scientifically accurate tale.

Andrew Chaikin, space historian, science journalist, and author of A Man on the Moon

…this book gets it right!

It’s rare to find children’s fiction that captures space exploration with any degree of accuracy, but this book gets it right! Wonderfully imaginative and beautifully illustrated, Elizabeth Goes to Mars! belongs in your child’s collection.

John A. Read, author of 50 Things to See with a Telescope

…it is very scientific and a fiction story at the same time.

I like the book Elizabeth Goes to Mars! because it is very scientific and a fiction story at the same time. I learned that astronauts have to exercise on a rocket ship because if they don’t their bones will get weak. I also learned that Mars has sand storms. I want to go to Mars so I can see the blue skies at  night.

Felix, grade 6 student, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

I learned a lot of stuff like growing plants on Mars…

Elizabeth Goes to Mars! is a really good book.  I read the book by myself and it was not too hard, but there were a few words I didn’t quite understand.  I sounded out the big words. I think it is an amazing idea to make a book that involves space. It was a really interesting book to read. I learned a lot of stuff like growing plants on Mars and also learned that you can eat pizza on Mars.
Violet, grade 3 student, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Loved the whole concept of the book and the cool illustrations!

Loved the whole concept of the book and the cool illustrations! When I read the story to my 7-year-old who’s always fascinated with space exploration, we would stop after reading almost every page to discuss and share our thoughts because it is not only entertaining, but educational and engaging at the same time.
Thanks again Betty for sending us a copy of it. Even the parents enjoyed it!😄

Sheena, Burnaby, British Columbia

I adored the book …

I adored the book and would love those Teacher Notes if you could send them.  My favourite scene was that with the Canadian flag on the suits, as that was hard to find in fiction when I was a kid!

Elizabeth Howell, PhD, Space Writer | Book Author | Comms Instructor

It really inspired me to go to Mars one day.

Binny, 8 years old

It is enjoyable AND educational …

I have had the amazing opportunity of connecting with Betty R. Robinson and I am just so blown away by this book! It is enjoyable AND educational which is what I look for in my favorite books!

Brittany Blackwell, Happier Homeschooling

A must for the young explorer in your life …

Even though Elizabeth, the main character, falls asleep while watching a  documentary about space travel to Mars, she dreams… or better yet goes on an adventure of her own!  The book is PACKED with facts and geared toward a generation growing up with the reality of exploring the Red Planet!
In this day and age of next level space travel… it is a must for the young explorer in your life.

LAM, New Jersey, U.S.A.