Sparky the Space Chimp was a 1967 Australian book used in school, it was also reprinted in 1975 (below).
Sparky the Space Chimp. Brisbane, Qld. : Jacaranda. 61 p. 1967. Endeavour Reading Programme No. 5
The paintings in the book are a nice snapshot of how other countries viewed out space efforts.
I have also speculated that "chimps in space" is a realistic surrogate for children. A child could imagine themselves on the same adventure.
The painted details are obviously fiction if you have ever seen the actual photographs of the monkey and chimp flights. Nevertheless they were space heroes and it is nice to remember thier adventures.