At a Glance
- Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie by Matthew Cordell releases September 1, 2026
- Picture book reimagines Bowie as a real spaceman touring galaxies that mirror his career eras
- Cover shows Bowie inside a star, each point displaying a different persona
- Why it matters: Introduces young readers to Bowie’s creativity and constant reinvention through a cosmic lens
Matthew Cordell transforms David Bowie’s chameleon-like career into an interstellar adventure for children. The Caldecott Medalist channels his lifelong fandom into a fall 2026 picture book that rockets across the singer’s most iconic looks.
Inside the Cosmic Concept
Cordell casts Bowie as an actual astronaut who pilots a star-shaped ship through space. Each galaxy stop equals a new Bowie persona, letting kids absorb the idea of endless self-reinvention without needing prior music knowledge.
> “I wanted to share with young readers Bowie’s journey in a similar sense of how he lived it – traveling with eyes wide open, constantly seeking and observing, all with an intergalactic flair,” Cordell tells News Of Los Angeles.
The finished book’s silver-foil title treatment will shimmer against a deep-space backdrop.
Exclusive Preview Spreads
News Of Los Angeles obtained three early spreads:
- Launch scene: a young Bowie blasts off
- Ziggy Stardust galaxy: glam-rock explosion
- Thin White Duke quadrant: muted greys, blacks, and reds
Cordell’s palette choices telegraph mood shifts so pre-readers can feel the tone of each era.
From Mister Rogers to Major Tom
This is Cordell’s second music-icon biography for kids, following Hello, Neighbor! The Kind and Caring World of Mister Rogers. His previous honors include:
- 2018 Caldecott Medal for Wolf in the Snow
- Best-of-year lists from the New York Times, Washington Post, and Boston Globe
- Boston Globe-Horn Book honor
Holiday House Publishing will release Starman on September 1, 2026; preorder pages are live now.
Key Takeaways
- Bowie’s many identities become kid-friendly planets in a narrative voyage
- Cordell uses space travel as a metaphor for artistic curiosity
- Silver-foil cover and galactic visuals aim to hook early readers
The book lands as parents and educators continue seeking fresh, visually rich ways to introduce cultural legends to the next generation.
