If you love dogs but also tears, you should get this book. ( )

Sweet and sad book with lovely art. I enjoyed learning about the history of the Soviet Union and Laika (Kudryavka) the dog. ( )

The plot is compelling and a charming take on this piece of history but I hate Abadzis' artwork. The angry scribbliness and the blank black-eyes are as unpleasing to me now as 30 years ago when I read Hugo Tate. ( )

I read Laika at a book store and it hit home so hard I can't help myself weeping right there with flooding tears, snot, and whatnot. I think I was in high school and I don't have my own money so I just left it there and went home without getting it. I was actually with my mom but I might be too shocked with the story and that I was THAT affected, I just washed my face and pretended like I didn't just read a book I'm going to treasure for my whole life. Why did I do that?? Well, I'm still regretting that. It's one of my gateway books to the outer space fandom. Even long after that, sometimes I recounted the book to a friend and I have to stop talking at the exact same part of the story (when Laika saw the earth getting far away and she thought about her family) because I know, one more word and I'd cry again. I've passed that phase, I can tell Laika's story just fine now. But this remains one of the most impactful and personal books I've read. Oh the things we do for science TT

Update 02/05/21: Finally getting this after 8.5 half years! > ( )

This book broke my heart (I'm still fighting tears over it, actually), particularly since it is based on historical events during the Cold War. It is a powerful homage to the little dog which would become the first living creature to travel into space. If nothing else, it is a testament to the cruelty of animal testing in the name of science. As a dog-lover, I am once again reminded how dogs are often more humane than actual humans. A seriously powerful read - just know ahead of time that it isn't a story with a happy ending. ( )