Library Book: Moonshot

This is a beautiful book (should be 5 stars) that goes end to end from launch to return to earth BUT surprisingly it completely skips the whole suspenseful exit from the module to the moon surface and the historic message “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. HUH? The module lands and next frame shows both astronauts walking around on moon surface. So you will need the book “One Giant Leap” to complete the story. Very disappointing (the step is explained in lengthy detail in a full page at end of book… odd)PS I bought for a 6 yr old. I agree that the prose is thick for a younger child. The age feature below defaults to a baby and I can’t change it :(.

My daughter and I found this book at a library book fair. She's "almost three" -- so we only read parts of it -- but we talk about the breathtaking illustrations. She requests it again and again. Then she wants to dress up as an astronaut in her Tinkerbelle pajamas because they "have feet" -- like he astronaut suit does. She insists on wearing her mittens and a clear plastic salad bowI that I found a way to tie on her head like a bonnet. She packs Elmo (also wearing a bowl on his head) onto the back of her rocking snail. I then countdown ("No mommy LOUD counting") for her and she scoots herself to the moon -- her bed. She bounces around and pretends to collect rocks. It's so priceless. I think the attraction for her -- and anyone really -- is that the author/illustrator captures a powerful sense of wonder and awe - which is impressive considering how detailed and accurate the illustrations are. It's written like poetry and that adds to the magic. Every time we get to the part where the astronauts look down at the "good and lonely earth", I get chills. This must have been a very special moment in history and I feel like I was there. I'm on Amazon now to order it as a birthday gift after sending it as a Christmas present to my nieces and nephews.

A very fine picture book for children of all ages of probably the most historic event ever in the history of the world. Published as a fitting tribute on the 40th anniversary of the event. Sadly, Neil Armstrong is no longer with us, but as time goes on, books like this help to keep his memory alive. Neil, Buzz and Michael, are three of the most courageous astronauts of the 20th century, and three of America's national treasurers, if not bonafide heroes. Children the world over should read this book for inspiration of what can be done by exceptionally trained and goal oriented people in the name of all mankind. Highly recommended!I also highly recommend two very educational DVDs covering the Apollo moon missions from the early 60s thru 1973. First, is Ron Howard's theatrical production of "Apollo 13", and second, Tom Hank's HBO mini series (12 episodes), "From the Earth to the Moon". Both are truly outstanding docudramas faithfully based on the events of those particular NASA years leading up landing six different two man crews on the Moon, Apollo 11 being the first. These are all of the Apollo astronauts own true stories, some quite tragic but most very successful, with very realistic reenactments of all the missions.

This book is part of our reading curriculum and I love it. The students love it. We learn so much and there's so much to explore.

Brian Floca's nonfiction books are unparalleled, poetic. He invites readers to experience the events he describes with each of their senses. He provides a fair amount of detail in a manner that's at least as engaging as any well-written fictional story.I gave Moonshot to my four-year-old son for Christmas, and he has already asked to read it several times. When we're not reading it, he spends lots of time looking at the pictures on his own. Although this book is about three times as long as most of the books we read together, it holds his attention. We often pause while reading Moonshot to examine details in the pictures and to answer questions raised by the text.I highly recommend Moonshot and Locomotive.

Absolutely loved it and immediately bought two more copies for my friends as gifts. I love reading this book to my 3-year-old daughter and she loves it as well. The other day I saw her playing with her Disney princesses saying "This one is Eagle, and this is Columbia..." She remembers which seat Buzz Aldrin sat in and basically has the book memorized (as little children are known to do).The book is exceptionally well written. Accessible and easy to understand for children but at the same time surprisingly detailed. The drawings are simply beautiful. I must admit I often get moved to tears just reading it, it really puts you there.My only wish is that the end of the story would be a little more detailed as well, after the landing it seems to be over in a hurry and not much is said about the way back and landing.But this is a 5-star book without hesitation, one that children and parents alike will love and enjoy.

This is a fantastic account of the Apollo and the men who walked on the moon. Beautiful illustrations as well. I highly recommend this book!

Beautiful illustrations. The entire journey up to moon and back home has been described in easy to understand way.

Beautiful, beautiful book. I enjoy reading this with my son - enjoyable no matter the age. Illustrations are nice and the text is poetic. Paper is quality and glossy, easy to turn pages. Really want to find some other books by this author to read with my son now.

Great book, my 5 year old daughter liked it a lot. Altough written in a way a young child can understand, it is factually very detailed and accurate.

Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 manages to make you feel, with both words and pictures, as if you're right there riding atop the might Saturn V. A truly beautiful and educational book that captures the mood and feeling of wonder of the time. Can't recommend this enough. My 4-year-old daughter loves it!

Moonshot - this is a beautifully illustrated children's books about one of man's greatest achievements of the 20th century. Great for adults too!

Such a brilliant children's book. The prose is beautiful but the pictures and explanations make this a fantastic book for children