Taro is going to Mars — and he's packing boots, a notebook, a magnifying glass, a dust brush, an emergency pickle, and one very important sandwich. But Mars has other plans. It's red. It's dusty. It's freezing cold, windy, thin-air-ish, and extremely suspicious. Before long, Taro's sandwich is buried in red dust, and the big question begins: Did Mars eat it? Did a rover steal it? Did the dusty sky sneeze? With help from Nova — a glowing yellow star who happens to know a lot about science — Taro discovers the secrets of the Red Planet: thin air, planet-wide dust storms, giant volcanoes, huge canyons, robot rovers, two tiny moons, ancient water clues, and exactly why sandwiches on Mars need serious protection. Packed with silly jokes, curious questions, and real science facts, this full-color adventure makes learning about Mars a blast. Perfect for young readers who love planets, silly mysteries, robot explorers, comic sounds, and real science. Inside this book, kids will discover: Why Mars looks red - What dust storms are and how long they last - The biggest volcano in the solar system - Mars's two little moons, Phobos and Deimos - Why rovers explore the Red Planet - And one very important rule: always protect your lunch! A fun, fact-filled space story for curious kids ages 6–15