Man on the Moon

by Anastasia Suen, Benrei Huang (Illustrator)

It was 1969 and no one had ever set foot on the moon. Some said it couldn't be done. But astronauts Mike Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong were going to try . . . Here in picture book format is the amazing true story of the first moon landing, when a man set foot on an unexplored world and showed us that the boundaries of our world were limitless.

"[A] perfect introduction to space, the space program, and exploration. Thrilling!" ( Kirkus Reviews )

"The milestone event [is] a great idea for a picture book!" ( Publishers Weekly )

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Nonfiction, Space, Childrens, Astronomy, Adventure

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

From her studio in Northern California, developmental editor Anastasia Suen reads, writes, and edits books for creators of all ages.

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice picture book about the first moon landing. The illustrations are very nice and the text is easy to read and read aloud. Kids love it.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent picture book tells young readers, in simple language, about astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins and NASA’s Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

The AD560L Lexile level for this book designates it as one for adults to read to a young child. However, with its captivating narrative and superb color illustrations, both adult readers and children are likely to enjoy this wonderful introduction to exploration, space, and the space program.

Highly recommended.

[Katie Brashears]

This book is about Mike Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong blasting off in the Apollo 11 to set foot on the moon. They finally landed. Neil Armstrong stepped out of the space craft and spoke his famous words, "that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." They placed an American flag, took pictures, collected rocks, and went home.

I liked this book. It was very straight to the point.

I would use this book while teaching about space exploration or teaching about the moon.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I love this book! It’s an amazingly age-appropriate book for three year olds, and I didn’t think I’d be able to find something they’d understand about the moon landing! It’s an amazing introduction to our outer space unit, and it covers US history and the basics of space exploration. And who doesn’t like astronauts?

[matteo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is totally fine, but weird. The text is slightly off, and so are the illustrations. But the kids have asked to read it multiple times, so it's all good.

[Allie]

Simple picture book retelling of the first manned mission to the moon! This would be great for a classroom setting, of even a space-themed storytime for an older crowd.

[Kristen Reyes · Rating 1 out of 5]

How accurate are representations of language, culture, setting, and relationships?
The language of this book is English. The setting (USA) and the moon are all accurate.

• Are characters fully realized and shown to have agency?
The character descriptions were brief and the book consisted mainly of illustrations.

• How is difference constructed, and what does it mean for a character’s belonging in an unequal world?
I am not sure that the book addresses this topic.

• How is material wealth acknowledged or taken for granted in a story, especially at a time of extreme poverty for fully a third of the children living in the US?
This story does not acknowledge wealth, but it does address the rush of the USA to put a man on the moon. It also introduces the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

• How are characters’ lives and perspectives interrelated and interdependent? How are these interconnections shown in text and image?
Due to the fact that I had some background knowledge on the first moon landing, I was filling in the blanks of this picture book. I did read about Neil Armstrong in the story though.

• How and by whom are perceptions of difference transformed, and with what implications for future relations?
This book is about the scientific discovery that changed the USA's production in the scientific and technological communities.

• How are disparities in the funding and support of community infrastructures acknowledged? Are inequities seen to have a material effect on children’s opportunities to explore and become their fullest selves?
In the book, the author failed to discuss the rest of the world's productivity during the era of the 'Man on the Moon". This book does a satisfactory job at engaging readers through visuals and giving some information about Neil Armstrong.

[Kimberly Walton Mayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plano author Anastasia Suen has written a remarkable nonfiction children's book about man's first steps on the moon. Reading this book to your child serves as a perfect opportunity to share this historical event with young minds. The language is very appropriate for the targeted 3-8 age range.

"Moon, do you remember your first visitors?"

The first sentence of this book effectively ignites a child's curiosity. Astronauts Mike Collins, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were the first humans to land on the moon when some claimed it “could not be done.” Using a powerful mixture of text and illustrations, ‘Man on the Moon’ follows the Apollo 11’s journey into space, the astronauts’ first steps, items they collected, and the patriotic symbol left behind.

Illustrated by Benrei Huang, The pages illustrating the Apollo 11 liftoff are full of energy and anticipation! In addition, the predominately blue hues are a perfect backdrop to demonstrate the vastness of outer space. The pictures are appealing to elementary aged children, as they look realistic but have a cartoon-like feel.

The author's note at the end gives a personal insight to the author and her association with NASA as a child. She grew up in Florida and her father worked at Cape Canaveral. Her account of watching launches growing up serves a perfect personal tie-in for the closing of the book.

Anastasia Suen is from Plano and has written 160 books for children and adults. She is a Booklist columnist, literacy blogger and children’s literature consultant. Her website is full of useful information for teachers, students, writers and readers. www.asuen.com

[Anna Chaddick]

This book talks about the first three visitors of the moon. It was 1969 and no one had ever touched the moon. The book starts with three men preparing themselves for their first departure to the moon. They then took off for the first time in the a spaceship called Apollo 11. In my opinion, there are so many books that are similar to this one. This is good information to know that a lot of kids might not have any idea about, but to me if you go into it not knowing anything it might be confusing for young readers. I would say the reading vocabulary in this book is probably at a second grade reading level. This could also be used in a science lesson/you could talk about gravity. This could also give the important message to young kids that they can be anything they want to be when they grow up if they set their mind to it.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st-3rd Grade
Anastasia Suen tells a very basic story of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The book is good for young readers, not many words and the illustrations are cartoon recreations of the event. The colors used are mostly muted, but the pictures of space were intriguing with the way Benrei Huang used the blues and blacks to create the vastness of space. Students that are interested in space will definitely enjoy this book others may not.
Science/ Social Studies – After reading this book have the student study other Apollo missions and make a timeline on how the United States got to the moon first.

[Lauren McKinney]

This is the story of the three astronauts, Mike Collins, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong, who were the first people to land on the moon in 1969. This had never been done and most people thought it to be impossible. The famous line was quoted in this book, “That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” This line was said when their ship, the Eagle, landed on the moon. The astronauts took any pictures, as well as samples. They put an American flag on the moon, stating America had been there. They returned home safely and they were heros. On top of this amazing story, students will love the illustrations.

[Lanyisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about when Neil Armstrong went to the moon. The author did not use much craft in this book. It told a story, but it was just black and white. Nothing colorful and exciting in between. The author could have used voice in this book. The book was based on a true story, but that doesn't mean that the book was to be told in a boring way. There could have been more voice used in this book to make the true story sound like it is worth being told again. I wouldn't pull any strategies from this book. I would use this as an example that I may need to use voice to bring life to a book, especially if it is a true story. That way it won't sound like a boring book report.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, Anastasia Suen, did a nice job of describing the historical event in a way that makes sense to young readers. She talks about the first space landing and walk in 1969, where three astronauts made history. This quick and informative read has lovely illustrations and an author’s note at the end describing where she was during this time in history. Great read!

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of the moonlanding is right for a primary audience. It doesn't bog you down with details or personal accounts. It just makes the story simple and easy to understand. I liked the book all the way through.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anastasia Suen did a nice job of describing, in a way that makes sense to young readers, about the historic first space landing and walk in 1969. This quick and informative read has lovely illustrations and an author’s note in the afterward describing where she was during this time in history.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells the story of Apollo 11. The pictures are bit simplistic. It's a good, simple story, not much text.

[Colleen]

Moon Light, Moon Bright - unit 3
Leveled Books - Lexile: 230

[Stephanie Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of the first men on the moon. This story talks about how the spaceship took off, landed on the moon, and a little how it can back to earth.

[Macarena Sosnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Space, History

[Michal Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

For preschoolers inspired by space, this is a good informational text about man's first walk on the moon.