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Sunday, August 9, 2020

Moon's First Friends: One Giant Leap for Friendship, written by Susanna Leonard Hill and illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. Sourcebooks, Raincoast. 2019. $23.99 ages 5 and up

"The Moon watched as she
circled and circled the Earth.
On the wide sweep of the hot
Sahara, the Egyptians built stone pyramids that towered toward
the sky.

"They're trying to reach me!" the Moon marveled. But though the pyramids were mighty ... "

I missed telling you about this book a year ago ... how did that happen? It is just one of a number of books published fifty years after the Apollo 11 mission and its landing on the moon. I wanted to be sure to post this before I post a brand-new book by this collaborative team tomorrow. So, here we go. Told from the Moon's perspective, it is definitely an alternative look at a pretty important space odyssey.

The Moon's story begins at a much different time in space history. She was lonely and always aware of what was happening on Earth - beginning with the dinosaurs. They made no plan to visit, even though she promised that they would feel much lighter if they did. She watched, from afar, the many ways that Earth changed through the years. No animal ever wanted to make the journey.

When she saw people, she had new hope. Those people also stayed put. She did her best to entice them, but nothing helped. Then, scientists began experimenting with ideas for space travel. She was more than delighted when a chimpanzee passed close by. No visit.

"And then, one hot July day, a tremendous rocket stood upon a
launchpad with two small spaceships perched on top.

The countdown began!"

Finally, the Moon's most fervent wish came true ... visitors at last. It left her with hope that it might happen again. 

This is a very interesting look, for young readers, at the Apollo mission that ended with the moon landing. It helps them understand the moon's proximity to Earth, and the work that went into making the first landing a success. Friendly, luminous illustrations are sure to add to the enjoyment and to help with the learning about such a special space event.

Back matter explains Mission Moon by describing NASA and adding some out-of-this-world facts. It also includes a look at the moon's phases from new moon to full and back to waning crescent. Further information concerns the voyage itself (with archival photographs), the space suit, the rocket and a timeline that follows Earth's eras.

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