A girl who loves solo space travel learns that having a partner can be even better.

Avni loves being the only astronaut in her space station. She's in charge of when she takes off and where she goes. But space exploration can be a lot of work for one astronaut. It's time for a new mission: find an assistant. Avni crisscrosses the distant galaxies (her neighborhood) in search of the perfect partner. Does that even exist? Will Avni make space for a copilot or will it be mission impossible?

Award-winning author Mahak Jain has crafted a witty and wonderful story about friendship, imagination and the thrill of a good adventure. Andrea Stegmaier's dynamic and highly detailed art uses line drawing overlays in orange, for Avni, and blue, for Aya, to cleverly depict the world as seen in each of their imaginations. It's a terrific representation of a child making room for both their own creativity and another's perspective. Avni's regular mantra, "An astronaut never gives up," celebrates the power of perseverance and collaboration without compromising one's goals. This book highlights the character education concepts of teamwork, cooperation, adaptability and resilience. It also offers an invitation to children to use their imaginations and remain open to the exciting possibilities of exploration (as astronauts or aquanauts!).

"Space travel is the best, but making space for friends is better. An imaginative only child named Avni enjoys the perks of being the only astronaut in her space station (a. k. a. home). She can take off whenever she wants, commands a whole rocket ship by herself, and never has to wait her turn. But when space exploration becomes too much work for a solo astronaut, she goes on a mission in her neighborhood to find a capable assistant ... with unexpected results. The Only Astronaut celebrates the power of imagination, perseverance, and collaboration without compromising one's goals."--