The Space Between by Jess McGeachin

Max and Milo live side by side in two houses which luckily are located out in the countryside because both boys love to look up at the stars and if you have ever done this you will know the view in a very dark country sky is so much better than trying to star gaze in the city with all our light pollution.

Max and Milo enjoy their daily routines and then one day they find an old, abandoned car and their imaginations soar! This is not a car it is a rocket and with a few easy repairs it can fly them up into space. As they work on their rocket Milo says something important but Max is not paying attention:

"We'll need navigation' explained Milo, and he drew a map of the solar system. 'Now we'll always know where we are, even if we're far apart. Even if one of us has to move away ... "

The boys complete their rocket and have a fabulous evening exploring space. Grandma is waiting for their return with a pate of sliced oranges. Everything seems so perfect but ... 

Here are some teachers notes from the publisher. You can see art from The Space Between here. When you share this book make sure you spend time enjoying and laughing over the end papers!

This book "embodies all of the best parts of imaginative play". Kids' Book Review. Take a few minutes to read this detailed guest post by Jess McGeachin on Paperbark Words. He says:

It’s this capacity for imagination that I wanted to explore in the story, and the hope that there’s no problem too big to fix with some cardboard and sticky tape.

... this one has all the warmth of a cosy blanket and a mug of hot chocolate, with a lovely look at both imagination and enduring friendship. Just so Stories

This is a perfect book to open up conversations about moving house, friendship, imaginative play and the importance of our connections with one another even if we are separated. 

The CBCA judges said in their Notables report:  Strong characterisations are achieved with a light touch, and visual and textual elements combine to create a strong sense of place in the rural setting. The illustrations are beautiful, with a strong, warm colour palette that bring the story to life.

I was thrilled to see Jess McGeachin has two books on the 2025 CBCA Notables lists - this one The Space Between is on the Picture Book of the Year list and South with the Seabirds is on the Non Fiction Eve Pownall list.