In "Rufus Blasts Off", the third book by Kim Griswell and Valeri Gorbachev we once again meet the fearless and intrepid little piggy on a new quest - a quest for space!
He's been to school, he's even been a pirate but this time Rufus is ready to don his space suit, dive into a rocket and head out into the inky blackness.
Rufus reports for duty at the space centre.
But Commander Luna tells him: 'No pigs in space!' (Has that muppet never seen "The Muppet Show"?)
Why aren't pigs allowed in space? Commander Luna thinks that Pigs pester the pilot, squeeze out all the toothpaste, do loop-the-loops in the cabin and they always want to push buttons (don't we all!)
Then Luna learns that she needs someone to read a book live from the Red Planet or the mission is scrubbed. Once again, Rufus must use his love of books and his keen reading abilities to make his astronautical dreams come true.
A glorious piece of storytelling, covering both our love of space and our love of books. Hooray for Rufus!
"Rufus Blasts Off!" by Kim Griswell and Valeri Gorbachev is out now, published by Sterling (kindly supplied for review).