On November 3, 1957, the USSR sent the first living being into space aboard the Sputnik 2 spacecraft - a dog named Laika. She had no understanding of the incredible journey that had been planned for her.

Laika was a calm and happy go-lucky dog that had been found wandering the streets in the heart of Moscow: "She felt at home everywhere in the huge city. She easily found things to eat [...] such as her favorite, cold and dirty pieces of beef off the pavement. But what she loved more than anything was the starry sky..."

One day, she was captured by some determined humans who took her to a laboratory and subjected her to a battery of tests and experiments. Being locked in cramped rooms make her yearn for freedom, and this was only the beginning of the suffering she went through which culminated in her being shot up somewhere into space in a rocket.

"Author-illustrator Almudena Pano’s tale told from Laika’s point of view is a touching story which questions the legitimacy of humans appropriating the existence of living beings. It puts into question what matters and to whom," says Claire Hartmann, founder of La Petite Agence in charge of, amongst other things, rights for Versant Sud Jeunesse.

The art and the format make it quite an unusual children's book. "She was inspired by old Soviet images and documents. Almudena Pano has created a unique look-and-feel for a beautiful result," explains Claire Hartmann.

Though it targets 5-year-old readers it is quite appropriate for older children and even adults. Strong controversial topics such as injustice, animal abuse and death are handled with grace and restraint so that these emotional subjects are addressed at a safe distance.

Korea rights were sold quickly at the Frankfurt Book Fair. "I was deeply moved when I immersed myself in the story of this stray dog, whom we all know as Laika, who was rocketed into the unknown. She still shines brightly in the sky above us. This book is another shining star," says the Korean publisher.

Katja Petrovic
February 2026