Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11

Brian Floca (2009), 48 pages

Audience: Pre-K

Format: picture book

“High above

there is the Moon,

cold and quiet,

no air, no life,

but glowing in the sky.”

Floca chronicles America’s historic launch of Apollo 11. Coupling simple prose with striking, bold images filled with astounding detail (see Figure 1). The author expertly describes and illustrates the space mission of Armstrong, Collins, and Aldrin as they orbit into space and land on the moon. As part of the book’s forward, Brian Floca provides an extensive list of research resources including bibliographic material, such as Chaikin’s A Man on the Moon, NASA diagrams and photographs, visits to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Johnson Space Center in Houston to view actual “mission tools, suits, machinery.” Floca’s research is evident in his detail-rich, historically accurate watercolors; yet, somehow, this artist manages to simultaneously meld history with ingenuity creating truly remarkable illustrations that capture the excitement of discovery. For instance, the thrust of the rocket is palpable, with bold colors and an intense double-page frame, the rocket shoots off the page. His bold text choice further emphasizes the rocket’s energy (see Figure 2).

Figure 1: Mission Control











Figure 2:
Lift Off


Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: One Giant Leap by Robert Burleigh or If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty

Other books by this author: Five Trucks, The Racecar Alphabet, and Lightship (Robert F. Sibert Honor Book)

On Earth

G. Brian Karas (2005), 32 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

“On earth we go on a giant ride in space, spinning like a merry-go-round …” Although concepts such as earth rotation, gravity, and planet orbits may seem too advanced and complex for this age group … Karas teaches these concepts eloquently and effectively by combining simple, yet poetic text with large format kid-like illustrations (which alternate between a child’s personal perspective and a global one). In addition, Karas uses familiar concepts such as birthdays and seasonal changes making these concepts relatable and easier for children to understand and grasp. This book is an excellent introduction to Earth science. Also, included in back of the book is a glossary defining terms such as sphere, equator, orbit, axis, etc. Parents can use this book as precursor for other topics, such as planets, stars, moon, geography, even recycling. Include this book in your next storytime and foster a child’s love of science at an early age!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Earth Book by Todd Parr, What Makes Day and Night by Franklyn M. Branley, I Love our Earth by Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, Dan Lipow, or Our Big Home: An Earth Poem by Linda Glaser

Other books by this author: Atlantic, Bebe’s Bad Dream, Skidamarink: A Silly Love Song to Sing, The Windy Day, and Young Zeus