Review: Moonshot: The Flight of the Apollo 11 by Brian Floca

MOONSHOT

The Flight of the Apollo 11

by Brian Floca

Atheneum Books

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 10

Simply told, grandly shown, here is the flight of Apollo 11. Here for a new generation of readers and explorers are the steady astronauts, clicking themselves into gloves and helmets, strapping themselves into sideways seats. Here are their great machines in all their detail and monumentality, the ROAR of rockets, and the silence of the Moon. Here is a story of adventure and discovery—a story of leaving and returning during the summer of 1969, and a story of home, seen whole, from far away.

 MY TIDBITS

The Apollo 11 mission and many aspects surrounding it come to life in this beautifully illustrated picture book.

Right away on the book jacket, information surrounding the Apollo 11 mission begins with all sorts of technical explanations which are well described in easy to understand language. When the book itself begins, the work behind the mission is brought to light. Everything from the engineering to the sewing of the suits is presented. The lift-off brings along the wonder and excitement needed before the journey through space...and life in the capsule....is described. And that's only the beginning.

The text is perfect for ages four and up, allowing the atmosphere surrounding the Apollo 11 to come across clearly and understandably. The greater challenges are explained, but never in too much detail to grow boring, either. The author delivers broad concepts as well as lesser known details (such as moon dust) to keep the book lively and interesting.

The main treats, however, are the illustrations. Young listeners will dive into the mission with such detail, that they'll feel as if they're really joining in. Much love has gone into the pictures, and it's worth flipping through the book just to enjoy this aspect of it.

This is a great read, not only for young space fans, but for all ages.


And here he is...

Brian Floca is the author and illustrator of Locomotive, winner of the 2013 Caldecott Medal; Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11, a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book and a New York Times best Illustrated Book; Lightship, also a Sibert Honor Book, and Racecar Alphabet, an ALA Notable Children's Book. H has illustrated Avi's Poppy Stories, Kate Mesner's Marty McGuire novels, and Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan's Ballet for Martha; Making Appalachian Spring, a Sibert Honor Book and winner of the Orbis Pictus Award. You can visit him online at BrianFloca.com