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Topic: Moon Landings

Blast off with some brilliant books about the Apollo 11 Moon Landing! Review Panel member and librarian Carol Carter takes a look at some astro-themed children’s books to explore the topic.

Picturebook

A humorous, inspirational picture book that shows how determination and resourcefulness can save the day!

When Suzy Orbit and her boss, Captain Gizmo, hear that aliens have been spotted near their space station, they must act fast! But Captain Gizmo has no batteries for his space pod, his swanky new spacesuit is far too small, and there’s no chance of ordering a meteor blaster in time.

Luckily, Suzy Orbit – astronaut and engineer extraordinaire – is on hand with her spanner and brilliant inventing skills. Suzy knows that a bit of quick thinking and ingenuity are even better than ordering new stuff. . . if only Captain Gizmo will listen!

A story about girl power, resourcefulness and outer space, perfect for children aged 3-6.

Every Nosy Crow paperback picture book comes with a free ‘Stories Aloud’ audio recording – just scan the QR code and listen along!

Non-fiction

Be inspired by the lives of trailblazers past and present in this fun and factual biography series!
How did Neil Armstrong become the first person to set foot on the moon? Long before that astonishing day in 1969, Armstrong was already dreaming of journeys above the clouds, visiting air shows and gaining his pilot’s license aged just fifteen. Find out how this flight-obsessed astronaut went on to take one of the most momentous steps in history.
TRAILBLAZERS biographies are packed with little-known trivia, fascinating facts and lively illustrations.

Non-fiction

Released in July 2019 for the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing “Where Once We Stood” captures the first-hand accounts of an extraordinary chapter in our history, when twelve human beings set foot upon the Moon. Combining a unique series of illustrations with the words spoken by the astronauts on the lunar surface, this book offers a rare insight into what it really felt like to live and work on another world; something that those who’d experienced it often found hard to convey. The author Christopher Riley has spent a lifetime studying the Apollo project and interviewing many of the astronauts, their friends and families. In this special collaboration, he’s joined forces with artist Martin Impey, whose paintings of the missions have been credited by the astronauts themselves, as capturing the essence of their lunar encounters. The resulting book brings a new dimension to the timeless story of Apollo’s extraordinary adventures on the Moon. From the first footprints left by Neil and Buzz during their pioneering walk on the Sea of Tranquility, to the final ambitious expeditions – as astronauts drove an electric car deep into the mountains of the Moon, this is a revealing record of what it truly meant to explorer a place beyond Earth – where once we stood.

Chapter book

The first in a series of hilarious stories about Charlie Tanner and his dog Jasper. In this, the first book and to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landings, Jasper has ambitions to fly into space and walk on the moon. In preparation, Charlie consults with experts.

Picturebook

Get ready for blast-off on an adventure to the moon! With stunning original artwork by John Hare and charming text by bestselling and award-winning author Jeanne Willis, Field Trip to the Moon is a wonderfully witty story about exploration, creativity and making friends in the most unlikely places.

It’s not every day you find yourself on a field trip to the moon, let alone stranded in outer space! But for one student that’s exactly what happens when her curiosity separates her from the rest of her class. Why wouldn’t you take the opportunity to get your crayons out, look back and draw planet Earth?

Alone on the moon, she sits down to draw. But could there be an even bigger surprise when she realizes she’s not alone? What would someone that lived on the moon even look like? Be prepared to find out what happens when you reach out to those that are different from us and greet them with an open pack of crayons!

Picturebook

This updated picture book of The Darkest Dark by astronaut Chris Hadfield, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.

“While I was growing up, the Moon helped light the path to my dreams. But it was on a hot July night that my dreamy thoughts became real. The brave astronauts of Apollo 11 travelled to that distant place and stepped out onto its surface, their boots blazing a new trail in the ancient grey dust. Those footprints showed me that impossible things can happen.” Chris Hadfield.

Young Chris is a very important astronaut. When Dad says it’s time for bed – Sorry, no can do: An astronaut’s work is never done. But in the dark lurk all kinds of scary aliens. So Chris doesn’t like to sleep, but Mum and Dad do! When he watches in awe at the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, Chris realizes he must overcome his fear of the dark. For in the darkest dark of space lies a power and a mystery that might just help Chris make his dreams come true.

Inspired by the childhood of real-life astronaut, Commander Chris Hadfield, author of An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth. The Darkest Dark is his debut children’s book, brought to life by the illustrations of Terry and Eric Fan. The evocative beauty of their pictures brings to life a bedtime story that will encourage children to dream big, think like an astronaut and embrace the unknown.

Picturebook

Astrid has always loved the stars and space.

“I want to be an astronaut!” she says.

While Mama is away, Papa and Astrid have fun acting out the challenges an astronaut faces on a space mission – eating food from a tube, doing science experiments, living and sleeping in near-zero gravity. Astrid can do it all!

Then it’s time to meet Mama at the airbase. But where has Mama been?

Non-fiction

Related activity sheets available on the Nosy Crow website.

Shortlisted for the 2020 Blue Peter Book Awards

Do you have what it takes to become an astronaut, a spaceship engineer or to work in Mission Control? Find out all about space and all the incredible space jobs you could do, from training to be a space chef or designing spacesuits to searching for new planets we could live on, or even blasting into space and living in the International Space Station. This book will inspire anyone with an interest in science and space exploration.

Paperback includes a press-out-and-make rocket, over 100 stickers and fold-out space scenes!

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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