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Il bambino che si arrampicò fino alla luna
Dal seminterrato del grande condominio in cui vive, Paul guarda fuori dalla finestra e pensa… e se la luna fosse un buco nel cielo?
Se solo qualcuno volesse ascoltare le sue idee sul mondo! Ma Paul è un tipo ostinato e non molla. Così, per la prima volta, esce dal suo seminterrato e cerca di scoprire, con tutti i mezzi a sua disposizione, cosa nasconde il misterioso, luminosissimo astro. Da uno dei più grandi scrittori per ragazzi di oggi, un libro poetico e magico sulla libertà, il valore dell’amicizia, il potere delle idee e il coraggio di sostenerle con forza.
Se solo qualcuno volesse ascoltare le sue idee sul mondo! Ma Paul è un tipo ostinato e non molla. Così, per la prima volta, esce dal suo seminterrato e cerca di scoprire, con tutti i mezzi a sua disposizione, cosa nasconde il misterioso, luminosissimo astro. Da uno dei più grandi scrittori per ragazzi di oggi, un libro poetico e magico sulla libertà, il valore dell’amicizia, il potere delle idee e il coraggio di sostenerle con forza.
110 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2010
13 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
David Almond
122 books824 followersDavid Almond is a British children's writer who has penned several novels, each one to critical acclaim. He was born and raised in Felling and Newcastle in post-industrial North East England and educated at the University of East Anglia. When he was young, he found his love of writing when some short stories of his were published in a local magazine. He started out as an author of adult fiction before finding his niche writing literature for young adults.
His first children's novel, Skellig (1998), set in Newcastle, won the Whitbread Children's Novel of the Year Award and also the Carnegie Medal. His subsequent novels are: Kit's Wilderness (1999), Heaven Eyes (2000), Secret Heart (2001), The Fire Eaters (2003) and Clay (2005). His first play aimed at adolescents, Wild Girl, Wild Boy, toured in 2001 and was published in 2002.
His works are highly philosophical and thus appeal to children and adults alike. Recurring themes throughout include the complex relationships between apparent opposites (such as life and death, reality and fiction, past and future); forms of education; growing up and adapting to change; the nature of 'the self'. He has been greatly influenced by the works of the English Romantic poet William Blake.
He is an author often suggested on National Curriculum reading lists in the United Kingdom and has attracted the attention of academics who specialise in the study of children's literature.
Almond currently lives with his family in Northumberland, England.
Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (2010).
His first children's novel, Skellig (1998), set in Newcastle, won the Whitbread Children's Novel of the Year Award and also the Carnegie Medal. His subsequent novels are: Kit's Wilderness (1999), Heaven Eyes (2000), Secret Heart (2001), The Fire Eaters (2003) and Clay (2005). His first play aimed at adolescents, Wild Girl, Wild Boy, toured in 2001 and was published in 2002.
His works are highly philosophical and thus appeal to children and adults alike. Recurring themes throughout include the complex relationships between apparent opposites (such as life and death, reality and fiction, past and future); forms of education; growing up and adapting to change; the nature of 'the self'. He has been greatly influenced by the works of the English Romantic poet William Blake.
He is an author often suggested on National Curriculum reading lists in the United Kingdom and has attracted the attention of academics who specialise in the study of children's literature.
Almond currently lives with his family in Northumberland, England.
Awards: Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing (2010).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
July 25, 2015
This book is beautiful inside out. The writing and illustrations are very very good. Awesome.
July 11, 2016
Wow, this book was really, really bad. It wasn't engaging, it was nonsensical in the least whimsical and endearing way possible, and the characters were bland and uninteresting. Apart from Fortuna at the end, who was quite possibly the most unlikable character I've come across in a children's book - even my seven year old daughter commented on how rude she was.
Nope, nope, nope.
Nope, nope, nope.
February 28, 2018
This was a joint read with my son. It was a wonderfully fantastical book which encourages children to use there imaginations and question life. It was a great little read with amazing illustrations. The characters were odd and brilliantly crackers. Great little book.
August 11, 2017
Brilliant! Bonkers! Funny! Thought provoking!
Not everyone's cup of tea but I loved it. Like being alongside Alice down the rabbit hole.
Not everyone's cup of tea but I loved it. Like being alongside Alice down the rabbit hole.
November 19, 2017
hayal gücü tamam da uçarken kitabı çocuklara yazdığını unutmamalı insan...
November 4, 2020
I found the audio book on my library app by chance and decided to give it a listen, it was really cute and lovley.
May 29, 2010
I have actually never read David Almond before and the title of this book grabbed me and gave me my chance to finally read him.
A whimsical story full of the unbelievable where a lonely boy who lives in a basement apartment, is rather shy, and does not like school but then school does not like him either takes a day off learns about living life to the fullest through a set of quirky characters and fantastical events.
One must set reality aside for this story. The people and events that Paul meets up with are beyond belief. The book is a joy to read; told with such whimsy it is a very endearing story. Paul is encouraged to say what he's always wanted to say and out he spurts that the moon is really just a whole in the sky. He manages to climb into the moon where he finds all sorts of people and things that have flown into it over the ages: hot air balloons, planes, helicopters and their pilots, people with wings who tried to fly and even a girl who was a human cannonball. With the encouragement of the denizens of the apartment building he makes friends, realizes everyone agrees that sausages are better than war, watches others plan a Great Expedition, and sees how the others live their lives, however obscure, to the best they can.
If you can't leave reality outside the door this won't be the book for you but if you can you will be in for a delightful story which is profusely illustrated with drawings as whimsical as the story. The characters are a motely crew from a man who switches to speaking in only vowels when he's in a conversational mood, to a dog who believes that when he obtains the age of seven he will grow wings and the ability to speak, to a little girl who lives inside the moon because she ended up there one night whilst performing her job as Fortuna the Human Cannonball. I found as I read and looked at the pictures that I kept thinking the style of the story was so much like William Pene duBois, a classic children's author/illustrator. I can also see this making a very good read aloud. The story is quirky, unconventional and humorous.
A whimsical story full of the unbelievable where a lonely boy who lives in a basement apartment, is rather shy, and does not like school but then school does not like him either takes a day off learns about living life to the fullest through a set of quirky characters and fantastical events.
One must set reality aside for this story. The people and events that Paul meets up with are beyond belief. The book is a joy to read; told with such whimsy it is a very endearing story. Paul is encouraged to say what he's always wanted to say and out he spurts that the moon is really just a whole in the sky. He manages to climb into the moon where he finds all sorts of people and things that have flown into it over the ages: hot air balloons, planes, helicopters and their pilots, people with wings who tried to fly and even a girl who was a human cannonball. With the encouragement of the denizens of the apartment building he makes friends, realizes everyone agrees that sausages are better than war, watches others plan a Great Expedition, and sees how the others live their lives, however obscure, to the best they can.
If you can't leave reality outside the door this won't be the book for you but if you can you will be in for a delightful story which is profusely illustrated with drawings as whimsical as the story. The characters are a motely crew from a man who switches to speaking in only vowels when he's in a conversational mood, to a dog who believes that when he obtains the age of seven he will grow wings and the ability to speak, to a little girl who lives inside the moon because she ended up there one night whilst performing her job as Fortuna the Human Cannonball. I found as I read and looked at the pictures that I kept thinking the style of the story was so much like William Pene duBois, a classic children's author/illustrator. I can also see this making a very good read aloud. The story is quirky, unconventional and humorous.
April 30, 2012
This story is about a young boy called Paul who is bored of living in his basement flat. He doesn’t like school, and school does not really like him. Paul believe that the moon is a hole in the sky. He decides to test out his theory. Along the way Paul meets some friends who believe in him and his mission. This story is best read at upper key stage two. KS2 children will able to relate to having dreams that are unrealistic but they will find this story every enjoyable. While the book is unreal, the messages are not. The readers will understand imagination is necessary, community is stronger than isolation and creativity helps you reach your goal. I think this book could be read as a whole class or for individual reading.
January 5, 2022
I bought a vintage copy of this book from Carousell and it blew my mind how beautifully illustrated it was. The story subtly touches on love, peace, healing after war, the importance of letting young children explore their dreams instead of belittling them and the love between found family, neighbours and new friends. I re-read this even as an adult and I still loved every bit of it. The hand drawn images are lovely, the story is captivating and charming. Any child who loves whimsy, exploration, adventures with eccentric characters and of course, the moon will be enthralled by this gem of a book.
May 23, 2011
I do love the David Almond. Really, I don't think there are many other authors that I "eagerly await" their new book, perhaps Keith Donahue, but that's about it. Otherwise, it's all about Mr. Almond.
This is a fun little book. Not quite as good as his YA stuff, as this is much more "just for kids," but his style and imagination are still intact here, and just as entertaining as always.
Another wonderful little book from Candlewick Press. (I'd love to have something sold to them.)
This is a fun little book. Not quite as good as his YA stuff, as this is much more "just for kids," but his style and imagination are still intact here, and just as entertaining as always.
Another wonderful little book from Candlewick Press. (I'd love to have something sold to them.)
November 27, 2011
Feels a bit like a Polly Horvath knock-off, without the poetic style...or, you know, the point. Plus I keep expecting the characters to hock up owl pellets, a la Almond's Skellig. Attractive illustrations help distract from the fact that even as the title's goal is acheived, not much is actually happening here. Odd, and not entirely displeasing, but overall this Boy falls flat when it comes to whimsy.
May 4, 2014
I wasn't sure what I'd find with this story, but it was an imaginative journey that would be fantastic as a read-aloud to 6-7 yr olds.
I loved the concept of the moon being a hole in the sky instead of something solid - and the best part was what Paul finds inside the white light that is the moon. Climb the ladder with Paul and find out....
I loved the concept of the moon being a hole in the sky instead of something solid - and the best part was what Paul finds inside the white light that is the moon. Climb the ladder with Paul and find out....
February 1, 2016
I loved this book! And why not see the moon as a hole in the sky? The illustrations really make it work and the humour is just brilliant!
PTSD, split personality, obsessed sports people, but then the building comes alive with the help of a ladder. Who would have thought all this would feature in this book? Such a wonderful idea for a story. Sausages are better than war you know.
PTSD, split personality, obsessed sports people, but then the building comes alive with the help of a ladder. Who would have thought all this would feature in this book? Such a wonderful idea for a story. Sausages are better than war you know.
October 24, 2012
Love this book. It is such an imaginative, creative, and exciting children's book. I found myself laughing out loud at all the play on words that Almond uses...I wonder if children will catch on to all of the small details, but either way, it is a great and quick read.
May 31, 2014
Assisted by an eccentric assortment of neighbors and friends and a very tall ladder, a boy attempts to prove the moon is nothing more than a big hole in the sky.
January 9, 2020
As the blurb says, Magical Realism. But basically imagination.
The book is full of people with imaginations...or crackpot notions, if you like.
Paul and his parents live in the basement of a large apartment block. One day he decides to go to the top to see the sky.
Along the way, he meets others who live in the block. At last, on floor 29, he meets an elderly lady called Mabel who has just changed her name to Molly. When his mum and dad arrive, worried about where he has gone, they all go into Molly’s flat, even though she seems just a bit strange.
Molly opens her window the small amount the safety lock allows and Paul is able to touch the Sky. From this point imagination begins to fill the story. Who knows where it will lead?
What about the man they meet who has a paper bag over his head.
What about the idea Paul has about the moon? How can they check his theory?
Besides imagination, the book subtly introduces things like elderly dementia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and even orphan/adoption. Not as issues to be wary of, but that they exist as something in one’s life rather than something that defines a person.
The people are rather strange, but when they work together, amazing things are achieved.
The book is full of people with imaginations...or crackpot notions, if you like.
Paul and his parents live in the basement of a large apartment block. One day he decides to go to the top to see the sky.
Along the way, he meets others who live in the block. At last, on floor 29, he meets an elderly lady called Mabel who has just changed her name to Molly. When his mum and dad arrive, worried about where he has gone, they all go into Molly’s flat, even though she seems just a bit strange.
Molly opens her window the small amount the safety lock allows and Paul is able to touch the Sky. From this point imagination begins to fill the story. Who knows where it will lead?
What about the man they meet who has a paper bag over his head.
What about the idea Paul has about the moon? How can they check his theory?
Besides imagination, the book subtly introduces things like elderly dementia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and even orphan/adoption. Not as issues to be wary of, but that they exist as something in one’s life rather than something that defines a person.
The people are rather strange, but when they work together, amazing things are achieved.
February 23, 2019
Not a good read-aloud.
I read this book to my twin six year old boys. We love quirky, whimsical stories but this one couldn’t be followed as a read-aloud. My boys kept losing interest and talking about other unrelated things. They kept asking when it was going to be over. I was bored out of my mind and also couldn’t wait for it to be over. I think this story had too much dialogue. A lot of it felt very unnecessary and drug out, like page filler. The characters personalities and actions had no purpose behind them except maybe just TO BE quirky and different. The whimsical aspects felt forced. I do love the effort and the attempt to be different, and the illustrations were great. My eleven year old liked it (he read it alone). If you want whimsical and something about the moon, try The Magical Land of Noom.
I read this book to my twin six year old boys. We love quirky, whimsical stories but this one couldn’t be followed as a read-aloud. My boys kept losing interest and talking about other unrelated things. They kept asking when it was going to be over. I was bored out of my mind and also couldn’t wait for it to be over. I think this story had too much dialogue. A lot of it felt very unnecessary and drug out, like page filler. The characters personalities and actions had no purpose behind them except maybe just TO BE quirky and different. The whimsical aspects felt forced. I do love the effort and the attempt to be different, and the illustrations were great. My eleven year old liked it (he read it alone). If you want whimsical and something about the moon, try The Magical Land of Noom.
September 29, 2019
With all the feel of a fairy tale, (maybe, as another reviewer put it, an urban fairy tale) we find a boy who, in exploring the world of his apartment building, discovers quirky characters who take him on a quest of sorts. Not entirely sure how to explain this book, or even what happened. This is an odd story that never quite worked for me, as everything was too discordant and strange. I liked the concept of climbing into the moon though, and what he found there, yet even this section of the book felt too short. Just...a very odd book that I can't explain well which is sad because I like the books by David Almond quite a lot usually.
October 23, 2021
"it was nonsensical in the least whimsical and endearing way possible, and the characters were bland and uninteresting" - I can relate to that.
есть такая категория книг, где вся среда выстроена на выворачивании реальности в сторону абсурда и многим нравится. Для меня на русском - это "Зоки и Бада", весь Остер, отчасти недавно прочитанная "Дети ворона" и вот теперь еще и Дэвид Алмонд. Я даже не могу сказать, что мне не нравится, я просто не вижу смысла. Но смысл нужен не всем, а рассыпающаяся причудливым калейдоскопом реальность может быть самой по себе причиной читать.
есть такая категория книг, где вся среда выстроена на выворачивании реальности в сторону абсурда и многим нравится. Для меня на русском - это "Зоки и Бада", весь Остер, отчасти недавно прочитанная "Дети ворона" и вот теперь еще и Дэвид Алмонд. Я даже не могу сказать, что мне не нравится, я просто не вижу смысла. Но смысл нужен не всем, а рассыпающаяся причудливым калейдоскопом реальность может быть самой по себе причиной читать.
August 7, 2017
(Read out loud to my two youngest children)
Very cute. Whimsical. Weird. Reminded me of Roald Dahl (without the darker elements) or of The Phantom Tollbooth (if I'm remembering correctly), or The Little Prince. The story just flowed along, seeming to follow the author's stream of consciousness. Here's the main premise: what would happen if the moon isn't the moon? I'll just leave it at that.
Nice illustrations.
Very cute. Whimsical. Weird. Reminded me of Roald Dahl (without the darker elements) or of The Phantom Tollbooth (if I'm remembering correctly), or The Little Prince. The story just flowed along, seeming to follow the author's stream of consciousness. Here's the main premise: what would happen if the moon isn't the moon? I'll just leave it at that.
Nice illustrations.
January 8, 2024
Wow! This felt like a post- modernist full-on adventure lark. I'm really not sure what I feel at the end of it but I'm looking forward to discussing this with our English subject leader who selected this text for our children. My favourite part was when he bellowed out the futility of planning and then said - where to start is a much better question
March 30, 2025
The Boy Who Climbed into the Moon is an odd little children’s book about the liberation of being a bit strange.
Paul is a little boy who lives in the basement of a huge tower block who’s lonely and feels a little dull and ordinary. One day he decides to go up the building and he meets a number of people who all have their own weird little ideas and notions, and discovers he has weird little ideas as well.
In exploring his own strange idea, he discovers friendship and the power of being your own type of freak, and allowing everyone else to be their own kind of freak. It’s a world that starts very mundane but becomes more fairytale-like as it goes on, slowly shifting into the delightfully unreal. As such, it may wrongfoot some readers, but if you are prepared to go with it, the book is good fun. That said, I probably have a higher quirk tolerance than some and if yours is low, then this book may irritate you. I enjoyed it, though.
And sausages are better than war, unless you are a pig.
Paul is a little boy who lives in the basement of a huge tower block who’s lonely and feels a little dull and ordinary. One day he decides to go up the building and he meets a number of people who all have their own weird little ideas and notions, and discovers he has weird little ideas as well.
In exploring his own strange idea, he discovers friendship and the power of being your own type of freak, and allowing everyone else to be their own kind of freak. It’s a world that starts very mundane but becomes more fairytale-like as it goes on, slowly shifting into the delightfully unreal. As such, it may wrongfoot some readers, but if you are prepared to go with it, the book is good fun. That said, I probably have a higher quirk tolerance than some and if yours is low, then this book may irritate you. I enjoyed it, though.
And sausages are better than war, unless you are a pig.
March 1, 2020
A fast paced, whimsical story of a boring boy Paul, who discovers his imagination after meeting his neighbours and raising a ladder to the 29th floor. Human cannon balls and missing War pilots are met. Easy to read for primary schoolers, interesting for teachers too.
September 8, 2021
I love David Almond's writing. This book is quirky, even bonkers and full of potential for a lot of fun. Paul, who lives in the basement of a block of flats, has the genius idea of climbing into the moon....which he does with a little help from an eclectic collection of characters! It's mad!
June 5, 2023
Read this book to my kids. This is a funny book and ever so strange. It is a quirky tale of a shy boy who imagines that the moon is a hole in the sky. He then manages to get the people in his apartment block to help him get a ladder there. It is a fun book and we loved the ending.
July 20, 2023
David Almond è David Almond.
Non c’è nessun dubbio.
Mi è capitato tra le mani e ho pensato di leggerlo per poi proporlo ai miei bambini dell’anno prossimo ma non immaginavo mi sarebbe piaciuto così tanto.
Non c’è nessun dubbio.
Mi è capitato tra le mani e ho pensato di leggerlo per poi proporlo ai miei bambini dell’anno prossimo ma non immaginavo mi sarebbe piaciuto così tanto.
October 23, 2024
The last handful of pages were really imaginative. I love the concept of this book. It took a bit to get into even in its short length. I didn’t feel really connected to any of the characters. But I do love the idea of climbing to the moon to see if it’s actually just a hole in the sky!
January 17, 2017
I loved this book. It was silly and lovely and had great, fun characters. The illustrations were delightful and added fun to the story.
April 10, 2018
A beautiful, whimsical tale about imagination, community spirit and just a little bit of magic.
March 20, 2019
A short tale but not very engaging. I think too much nonsense was put in the book and I feel the story would have been better as much simpler picture book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews