Mickey Mouse and His Space Ship was published in 1951 by Golden Books. I was two years old and my Mom would read this early science fiction adventure to me every night. Clearly, this began my love of Disney characters, especially Uncle Scrooge, and imaginative space adventures. I don’t remember many of my other kids books, but I sure remember this one after having it read to me about a thousand times. Jane Werner, Milton Banta, and John Ushler are listed as authors.
A lovely cover. I think science fiction illustration peaked in the 50’s.
The Fifties certainly were the Golden Age of SF covers, Drongo. Emsh, Freas, and all the rest!
Mickey and Donald together rocketing into space. What could be better?
This book enchanted me as a kid, Patti. I still remember the story after 50+ years!
We never had many (any?) Golden books around our house. I guess my parents considered them sort of second-level, sort of hardcover comics. At any rate, any book is a good one if it gets a child reading, and oyu suggest this started your lifelong love of science fiction.
I think Tom Swift Jr. also had a spaceship, right?……checking……. yep, the third book in the series was Tom Swift and His Rocket Ship. See it here: http://www.tomswift.info/homepage/rocket.jpg
I was torn in my choice for this week’s FORGOTTEN BOOK, Rick. This was the earliest book I can remember from my childhood. The book that really got me reading was TOM SWIFT AND THE CAVES OF NUCLEAR FIRE. If Patti suggests another FORGOTTEN CHILDREN’S BOOK, that will be my next choice.
Science Fiction at age two? That had to leave its mark.
It sure did leave its mark, Evan. It led to me collecting thousands of SF titles.
Hey, George, I’m doing part two – a boy’s naval adventure book – next week, and Patti said she might do another children’s book too. Since we’re skipping FFB for Christmas and New Year, the Tom Swift would be a great way to see out the year!
If you and Patti are doing kids’ books next week, I’ll do my TOM SWIFT AND THE CAVES OF NUCLEAR FIRE.
I had that very book, George. Wow, what a kick to see that great cover again. Thanks.
And a great book it was, Bob! MICKEY MOUSE AND HIS SPACE SHIP clearly had a positive effect on you and me.
Just read this to my five-year old son. He ate it up, but I went WTF? all the time. I must’ve read this also in my childhood and I probably loved it, but nowadays I seem to require more coherence in my stuff. 😉
The artwork always held my attention, Juri.