Book Review

CHILDREN'S BOOKS; Sandwiches In Orbit

Goleman, Daniel, Daniel Goleman writes about psychology for The New York Times and is the author of "Vital Lies, Simple Truths: The Psychology of Self-Deception."

1986

Overview

Though both books are dedicated to the crew members who perished in the ill-fated Challenger, neither book confronts the combination of fear, sadness and doubt that the accident stirred in the hearts of the nation's children. ''Your Future in Space,'' in listing all the missions into space, merely mentions in passing that ''on its tenth mission, Challenger exploded seventy-two seconds after lift-off,'' and names those who died. That's all. IN the introduction to her book, Sally Ride at least broaches the subject, and acknowledges that it gives added meaning to a question children often ask her about space travel: ''Is it scary?'' In view of Ms. Ride's active role in the shuttle inquiry - and her statement at one point that she would not be willing to go up again in a shuttle - her silence here is a surprise. She says she considered changing the text but decided not to do so.

• Publisher: New York Times Company
• Subject: GOLEMAN, DANIEL / MCPHEE, PENELOPE / McPhee, Raymond / Okie, Susan / RIDE, SALLY K (DR) / Schulke, Debra / SCHULKE, FLIP