Astrid and the Space Cadets made me BEAM with joy, full of OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD characters and illustrations. -- Steven Lenton, creator of Genie and Teeny and illustrator of The Nothing to See Here Hotel

Astrid and the Space Cadets! is just the kind of book I would have loved to read as a child. Alex’s wonderful witty writing is full of humour, adventure and I adore his fabulous character creations – The Snailiens! – genius! -- Jim Field, illustrator of Oi Frog! and The Christmas Pig

[A] hilarious book for readers beginning to discover what reading for pleasure feels like. This is a cosmic bundle of space fuelled giggles! -- Kate Pankhurst, creator of Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World

This fast-paced, funny cosmic adventure is the first in an exciting new chapter-book series, perfect for newly-confident, independent readers. The magnificent black-and-white illustrations steal the show and are packed full of quirky, imaginative detail and oodles of personality. - BookTrust

Perfect for children who are just beginning to enjoy books independently . . . Astrid and the Space Cadets is imagination at its best. - iNews

This fast-paced, funny cosmic adventure is the first in an exciting new chapter-book series, perfect for newly-confident, independent readers. The magnificent black-and-white illustrations steal the show and are packed full of quirky, imaginative detail and oodles of personality. - Armadillo Published On: 2024-03-01

Highly illustrated 6+ galactic fun. -- The Guardian

Alex T. Smith has drawn and written stories since he could hold a pencil. After considering several career options (space traveller, cake maker, professional rabbit), Alex decided to train to do the job he’d wanted to do since he was five – an illustrator specializing in the world of children’s publishing.

Alex graduated with a first-class degree in Illustration in 2006 and also won second place in the Macmillan Prize for Illustration in his final year. Since then Alex has gone on to work for a wide variety of clients, not just in the publishing industry, as well as writing and illustrating his own picture books, many of which have won prizes and have been read on TV during the Bedtime Hour on the CBeebies channel. Alex is also the creator of the bestselling Claude series for early readers, now an animated TV series on Disney Junior. His wonderful Christmas adventure How Winston Delivered Christmas is published by Macmillan Children's Books.

When not working, Alex enjoys doodling in his sketchbook, reading, people-watching and eavesdropping. He is also a big fan of cake and a nice cup of tea. He lives with and under the constant ‘supervision’ of his canine companions in Warwickshire.