In the tradition of Maurice Sendak and Chris Van Allsburg, Rilo and the Space Bandit explores the boundless terrain of childhood imagination, where a simple television box becomes humanity's last defense against an intergalactic villain.

When Mama and Papa bring home a brand new TV, 8 year old Rilo Fox sees something far more valuable than the screen inside: the box. Armed only with crayons and a world of imagination, Rilo transforms his backyard into a launch pad. Alongside his loyal friends Brin and Dink, he prepares for the mission of a lifetime.

The Mission: Save the Snacks! Commander Gloop Glop is coming, and he has one goal in mind: stealing Earth's most precious resources... Chicken Nuggets and Juice Boxes. Only Captain Rilo and his brave crew have the ingenuity to stop him.

What young readers and parents will discover:

The Power of Creative Play: A celebration of the radical, endangered art of unstructured play.

STEM Concepts: Engineering, mission planning, and space travel are woven seamlessly into the adventure.

Social Emotional Learning: Authentic character relationships that highlight friendship, teamwork, and courage.

A Nod to the Classics: Beautifully illustrated in a style that honors the golden age of storybooks.

Perfect for:

Space Enthusiasts: Kids ages 3 - 7 who dream of astronaut adventures and galaxy hopping.

Screen Free Families: Parents seeking inspiration for backyard exploration and creative problem solving.

Future Engineers: Children who love building, creating, and asking "what if?"

Fans of the Greats: If you love Where the Wild Things Are, The Day the Crayons Quit, or Rosie Revere, Engineer, Rilo Fox belongs on your bookshelf.

At Fox & Anvil, we publish authentic children's stories that honor the intelligence and wonder of young readers. We believe in the magic that happens when adults trust a child's imagination. Step inside the box and join the crew today.

32 fully illustrated pages. Proudly part of The Adventures of Rilo Fox series.