An Agent's Inbox #3

Dear Mr. Cusick,

Did you know that the planet Pluto's name was first suggested by an eleven-year-old girl? Every time I tell that story to a child they puff up with kid pride, and immediately want to know more about the solar system's littlest...no longer planet, but plutoid. The decision to demote Pluto from planet to plutoid by the International Astronomical Union got me to thinking about how Pluto would feel about the news, and The Littlest Planet was born.

The Littlest Planet is a complete picture book manuscript at 740 words. It starts with Pluto listening in on the radio waves earthlings produce, and finding out about his new status as a plutoid. Confused about what a plutoid is, and upset about no longer being considered a planet, he turns first to his moons, and then to the other planets for an explanation. Ultimately, he asks the earthlings, and finds out that he still has friends and supporters inside the asteroid belt.

In addition to early astronomy education by picture book, The Littlest Planet tackles universal childhood questions about identity and belonging. It is also a timely concept, because in 2015, the New Horizons satellite will do a flyby of Pluto, the first such mission of its kind. I would like The Littlest Planet to be positioned to ride the wave of media interest generated by NASA's mission, and I know that having a skilled agent, such as yourself, is the key to making that happen.

I will be submitting this manuscript to other agents, but I think this book is particularly well-suited to your list because of your stated interest in books that take place in space. I am a particular fan of all things related to space, and I love the idea of having an agent who appreciates the unmined potential of the subject.

As for my background, I am a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and a former senior government official. I know that breaking into the picture book market is challenging, but I promise that you will not find an author more dedicated or appreciative of your time.

I look forward to working with you, and thank you in advance for your time.

Sincerely,
K.P.


THE LITTLEST PLANET

Once upon a time, in the outer solar system, lived a little planet named Pluto. Pluto loved being part of the solar system, and he danced around the sun in his own unique orbit, with five little moons in tow.

It never bothered Pluto that he was so far away from the sun and the other planets, because he knew that he belonged. He was the proud ninth planet, the first line of defense for the solar system, or the final stop before the cosmos, depending upon your perspective.

Pluto couldn't see Earth, he was too far away, but he loved to listen to the radio waves that darted through space, allowing him to keep up to date with what the earthlings were up to.

One day, Pluto was listening to the radio waves and he heard a most upsetting report. The earthlings' had decided that he wasn't a planet. They called him a plutoid.

"Why are they saying that I'm not a planet?" He asked his little moons. "And what is a plutoid?"

"We don't know," they said. "Maybe you should ask the ice giants."

"I doubt Neptune would know, he's pretty dense, but I'll ask Uranus," he said, and he turned to find him in the night sky.

Uranus was no help, because all he wanted to do was joke. "Maybe Neptune made them do it--after all, you did cross him!" he said, laughing at his own joke. Pluto, however, wasn't laughing.