Look up! The Moon in Fact and Fancy

Alan Bean was not the first but the fourth man to walk on the Moon. However, he was the first astronaut to create paintings inspired by what he saw on and from the Moon. The highly readable, handsomely illustrated look at the Apollo 12 astronaut includes information gleaned from interviews with him as well as back matter (biographical information, a timeline and bibliography). This is a unique look at the moon and its impact on one artist/astronaut, sure to inspire others.

Short poems in various forms will inform and engage as they swirl across the pages of this attractive, lively volume. Large pages support the colorful, mixed media illustrations that encourage readers to read about heavenly bodies while gaining tidbits of information, inspiration, and imagination

Spare, poetic text and luminous, realistic illustrations chronicle the Apollo missions. Comprehensive back matter with photographs adds depth to the presentation. The author, a trained engineer, also presented Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon (opens in a new window) illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez for readers 9 to 12. The subtitle of this memorable book is the time it took from President John F. Kennedy’s challenge to Neil Armstrong’s first step on the Moon.

A boy looking out his bedroom window into the night sky begins, “The Moon is out tonight. In the morning, three brave men will climb into a giant rocket … and fly to the Moon.” It’s the Apollo 11 mission which inspires the child for a lifetime. Dramatic, highly realistic illustrations present the narrator’s life on earth interwoven with images and information about the Apollo Moon landing and return. An author’s note reveals that he grew up to build small rockets and an airplane. Fun facts, a glossary, and additional resources are included.

What could be more fun than going to a birthday party by rocket? Celebrating your birthday on the Moon, of course! That’s just is explored in this playfully illustrated look at the moon, bouncily contrasting it an Earth party. The views of Earth would be stunning making up for the fact that everyone would have to wear space suits. Information is presented in boxes throughout this fanciful journey.

In this striking volume, readers will encounter the Moon in both fact and fiction. Moon myths from various cultures are presented, the impact of the Moon on plant and animal behavior, a brief examination of the first Apollo landing, even a reflection on what the future of Moon exploration may do and more are presented briefly in well organized, clearly noted and stunningly illustrated sections. A glossary of people and terms are included.

Just in time for the 50^th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing, the author/illustrator’s spectacular, dramatic but readable look at the mission has been updated and expanded. Additional art has been added to the new portions including a look at the people who worked behind the scenes to make it happen. Additional information about Apollo’s return is also here.

Harriet just wants to play her cello alone. But when she accidentally knocks the lonely Moon from his heavenly perch, she learns to share her cello-playing with him. Both find friendship in this delicately illustrated, whimsical tale that presents a Moon and one friend with particular personalities.