The Moon    The moon is about 238,900 miles from Earth. It is 2,160 miles in diameter and has no atmosphere. The dusty surface is covered with deep craters. IT takes the same time for the moon to rotate on its axis as it does to orbit Earth (27 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes). This is why one side of the moon is always facing Earth. The moon has no light of its own, but reflects light from the Sun. The fraction of the lighted part of the moon that we see is called a phase. It takes the moon about 29 ½ days to go through all its phases. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon. Visit our Themed Reviews section for more space books! Reviews - Non-Fiction Earth and the Moon Rebecca Stefoff    Five, four, three, two, one, BLASTOFF! The adventures of space are an alluring possibility in the "Blastoff!" series, featuring this introductory volume and subsequent ones about various planets in our universe. This book is splattered with facts, brilliant photographs, computer-generated pictures and charts, which add to the reader's interest. Huge amounts of information emerge from five concise chapters beginning with the physical makeup and development of our own planet Earth. Understanding Earth from its inner core and shifting plates to its atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere summons up a basis for wanting to learn more. Earth's days, years and seasons are explained in an understandable fashion. Moon phases, tides and eclipses are covered. A discussion of previous astronomical exploration with telescopes, man-made satellites and manned space travel offers a glimpse of our planet and its moon. Future exploration of both Earth and Moon are considered. With a useful glossary and resources, this first book in a series is a must for a science curriculum. 2002, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, Ages 10 to 16, $27.07. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury ISBN: 0-7614-1235-2 Earth, Sun, and Moon   Robin Birch    The Earth, Moon, and Sun form the most obvious astronomical system in the sky. They are an interesting system too, because the contrasts between them could not be more stark. The Moon is a hunk of ancient and lifeless rock that would fit between New York and San Francisco with room to spare. The wet Earth is our home. The Sun is a star and so vast that a beam of light would take 11 seconds just to get around it. As an introduction to astronomy and geology, exploring the three would not be a bad start. This may not be the book with which to do it. Each page provides single image and focuses on a single fact. The facts are correct, but there seems to be no special order to them and some of the images can lead to odd notions about the relative sizes of things like the Earth and Sun or the thickness of the Earth's crust. While heavy reliance on stock photos is understandable from an economic perspective it results in a less engaging book. Illustrations come mainly from astronomical archives and photo houses. Photos are not reproduced very well and none of the illustrations are very engaging. Highlighted words appear in a twelve-word-long glossary. Part of the "Space" series. 2003, Chelsea Clubhouse, Ages 6 to 8, $14.95. Reviewer: Michael Chabin ISBN: 0-7910-6970-2 First on the Moon: What it was Like When Man Landed on the Moon Barbara Hehner Illustrated by Greg Ruhl    An "I Was There" book, this volume takes readers into the space capsule with Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong. Told from his daughter Jan Aldrin's point of view, the book has immediacy and emotion even as much factual information is explained. Eleven years old at the time, Jan watches her father on TV, talks to newspaper people, worries, and rejoices in this triumph. Photographs, black and white plus color, are drawn from the event and additional illustrations make parts of space suits clear, show close-ups of various space vehicles, while drawings flesh out images photographs can't provide. Sidebar sections include further information, for instance, space food and mission control. An epilogue brings us up to date and a glossary, timeline, and index are included. 1999, Hyperion/Madison Press, Ages 9 to 14, $16.99. Reviewer: Susan Hepler ISBN: 0-7868-0489-0 Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Footprints on the Moon Alexandra Siy    Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk on the moon, or wondered if little green men really do exist? For centuries the moon has been a source of wonder. This bright white ball lights up the night sky and never ceases to amaze us with its forever-changing face and shape. A remarkable collection of photographs, along with interesting facts about each attempt to reach the moon's surface, are included in this book. Photographs of footprints that our astronauts made as they walked on the moon's surface, the U.S. flag being planted in the lunar soil and what the earth looks like from the moon are just a few of the astounding pictures that fill these pages. 2001, Charlesbridge, Ages 8 to 12, $16.95 and $7.95. Reviewer: Sharon Tolle ISBN: 1-57091-408-7 ISBN: 1-57091-409-5 Man on the Moon (A Day in the Life of Bob) Simon Bartram    Bob might start his day like a lot of other people¾getting out of bed, having breakfast, buying a newspaper, and heading out for work¾but his day is sure to be very different. That is because Bob works on the moon! He takes a rocket ship to work, then begins to clean up. After lunch, he provides entertainment for tourist spacecrafts, gives guided tours, sells souvenirs, switches on the night-light, and heads home. Simon Bartram's clever story provides a lot of sight gags; even as we are told several times that Bob does not believe there are any aliens¾"Bob would know if there were any aliens, wouldn't he?"¾the illustrations reveal otherwise. From the single alien in the first picture to the many in the last, children will enjoy this joke, and their parents are sure to laugh right along with them. 2002, Candlewick, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. REVIEWER: Heidi Hauser Green ISBN: 0-7636-1897-7 Isaac Asimov Budding astronomers are privileged to live in an age when science and technology can bring marvels of the moon to the reader in vivid color from human experience and space telescopes and probes. Readers discover the Italian scientist, Galileo Galilei as he becomes the first person to gaze at the moon with his telescope in 1609. Beautiful color photographs and illustrations provide visual enhancement of the easy-to-read text. Readers will also view a solar eclipse, the far side of the moon and color images taken by the spacecraft Galileo. Colorful illustrations depict the possible creation of the moon when billions of years ago the earth and another body collided. Man’s first dramatic steps on the moon in 1969 and recent unmanned probes are discussed. Readers will find the information concerning the creation of the moon’s craters intriguing. Included in the end notes are a list of books about the moon, CD-ROM’s and DVD’s about the moon, web-sites where interested young scientists can find more information and places they can visit. A glossary of difficult words is a useful resource. This is a very important addition too any school or home library. BIBLIO: 2002, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $22.60. REVIEWER: Sue Reichard ISBN: 0-8368-3238-8 The Moon Robin Kerrod    Between July 1969 and December 1972, United States astronauts made six landings on the moon. They explored the surface of the moon and brought back samples of the rocks and soil they found. The nine chapters in this book give readers information about those moon rocks, as well as the plan for establishing space station on the moon's surface, and background about how the moon was formed. Computer-generated drawings and diagrams make this a good reference choice. An index and a glossary are included. One of ten volumes in the series "Planet Library" The series is excellent and would be a desirable addition to an elementary or middle school collection, as well as science classrooms. 2000, Lerner Books, $22.60. Ages 8 to 14. Reviewer: Joyce Rice ISBN: 0-8225-3900-4 Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2001; Bank Street College of Education; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Eighth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States The Moon Allison Lassieur    From folklore to a future world, this book includes fact and fiction about our largest natural satellite--the Moon. This work provides an overview of how man has studied the moon and what has been learned from these studies, beginning with the beliefs of ancient civilizations that thought the moon to be a god to be worshipped. Today, scientific evidence shows that the moon is comprised mostly of rock and orbits the earth. Included are descriptions of many NASA lunar projects, culminating in the 1969 Moon Landing and Moon Walk. The book is well organized and includes many color photographs and illustrations, with an attractive display of informative text. Written in a clear, concise language that all readers can comprehend, it will hold the attention of most students for their science class session. Following the text is a bibliography, web references and a list of organizations for further investigative study. In less than fifty pages, The Moon covers what we have learned through several hundred years of history and exploration, as well as ongoing projects from the past decade. This book easily lends itself to classroom use as a textbook or for individual study, due to its simple, informative and practical layout. 2000, Children's Press/Grolier, Ages 9 to 12, $22.00 and $6.95. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young ISBN: 0-516-22001-2 The Moon Martha E. H. Rustad     The "Out of Space" series continues to promote young science readers through this simple text accompanied with colorful photographs. The moon is defined as being in outer space, round and rocky with craters. It is much smaller than earth--it is believed that about fifty moons could fit inside the Earth. The differences between the moon and the Earth are also explained. The Earth rotates once a day whereas the moon appears to move from East to West as the Earth rotates. The moon orbits the Earth once every 28 days. The book also describes how the moon changes in appearance and why sometimes we see a full moon and other times a first-quarter moon. With help, young reader can increase their knowledge with the Words to Know, Read More and Internet Sites sections of the book. 2002, Pebble Books/Capstone Press, Ages 4 to 7, $14.60. Reviewer: Michele Wilbur ISBN: 0-7368-1177-X The Moon Niki Walker    When you look up into the sky at night, do you ever wonder about the Moon? People have always been curious about the moon. Myths and legends have been made up to explain what the Moon is, how and why its shape changes, and why it appears in different parts of the sky on different nights. Scientists can now explain many of these mysteries. Readers are given activities throughout the book to help them understand the concepts presented. A glossary and index are included. This is a part of the "Eye on the Universe" series, which are good beginning science book for elementary classrooms. 1998, Crabtree Publishing, Ages 8 to 12, $5.95. Reviewer: Joyce Rice ISBN: 0-86505-679-X ISBN: 0-86505-689-7 The Moon and You E.C. Krupp Illustrated by Robin Rector Krupp    Many children's books have been written about the Moon. Still others have been written about space exploration. This book combines the two, and even includes some historical information about the moon. Legends surrounding the moon are discussed and the phases of the moon are explained. A simple classroom experiment is included to help children understand how the moon changes appearance. Neil Armstrong's adventure of walking on the moon in 1969 is included. The title page gives the reader the word for moon in twenty-one languages. Although a brief 48 pages, there is an enormous amount of information, and there are plenty of black-and-white illustrations. An excellent science supplement for second or third grade classrooms. 1993, HarperCollins, Ages 6 to 12, $5.95. Reviewer: Joyce Rice ISBN: 0-688-17818-9 The Moon: Earth's Companion in Space Michael D. Cole    Although our knowledge of the moon has broadened during the past forty-five years since spacecrafts were launched into orbit, mystery still surrounds the glowing disk traveling across our skies. In this installment of the "Countdown to Space" series, the moon and many of its wonders are explored with the consultation of a NASA Flight Controller and a NASA Aerospace Educational Specialist. A chapter about tides, orbits and phases of the moon explains the ways in which our oceans are affected by the moon's orbit. Information about journeys to the moon is highlighted in another chapter, and interesting facts are sprinkled throughout the book. Not everyone knows that the same side of the moon always faces the earth. Or that sometimes there are shadows on the moon, but it is always surrounded by dark skies. The most intriguing question about the moon, however, is still left unanswered--where did the moon come from? It has been thirty years since the last human walked on the moon, and this book might inspire some aspiring young astronauts to pursue the answer. 2001, Enslow, $18.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Karen Deans ISBN: 0-7660-1510-6 Moon Landing: The Race for the Moon Carole Stott Illustrated by Richard Bonson    The history of space flight and the activities that led to the successful landing of a man on the moon are the focus of Stott's book. She describes the early success of the Russian program, their accomplishment in launching Sputnick as well as their achievement in launching the first man into space and bringing him back alive. It was a wake-up call to the American space program, which then went all out to be the first to put a man on the moon. A four-page spread showing the moon landing, astronauts at work, and their launch from the moon surface to return home is succinctly presented with a selection of photographs and illustrations. This feat took the combined resources of thousand of people and billions of dollars. The remainder of the book recaps the later missions, featuring the Lunar Rover and the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission and the incredible rescue of its astronauts. Space buffs and kids who want to be a part of the space program will find plenty here to keep them interested. 1999, DK, $14.95. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-7894-3958-1 Best Books: Books for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Fourteenth Edition, 2001; National Council of Teachers of English; United States Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States Parent's Guide to Children's Media, 1999; Parent's Guide to Children's Media, Inc.; United States Moons   Gregory L. Vogt    Every planet but Mercury and Venus has at least one moon. Most are dark rocks with little to recommend themselves but some are large enough to have oceans of liquid water and others suffer from volcanoes and earthquakes, thanks to their proximity to their companion planets. All of them are interesting in some way, even if only to provide a glimpse of what the Solar System was made of five billion years ago. This survey presents a well-organized and nicely illustrated overview of the moons in our Solar system. Graphics are generally good. Many were provided by NASA (the author once worked for a NASA outreach program). This makes a good choice for classroom space studies. It includes a glossary, a bibliography, references to web resources, and a hands-on activity. Part of the "Galaxy" series. 2003, Bridgestone Books, Ages 7 to 9, $18.60. Reviewer: Michael Chabin ISBN: 0-7368-1383-7 My Special Book of Space Ian Graham    This comprehensive information book about space and space exploration is a good introduction for the primary grade reader. It offers plenty of clear and colorful illustrations with text that presents just enough to launch one into further study. Only two space travelers are named, Yuri Gagarin and Neil Armstrong, but there are plenty of named vehicles and equipment. Topics are featured on double-page spreads in this large formatted book. The moon is emphasized, to include the history of the moon and phases of the moon, from waxing to waning. More information about the nature of the international space station would have provided a balance to this heavily U.S.A.-centric book. A glossary, index and useful web sites end the book. 2001, Kingfisher, Ages 6 up, $14.95. Reviewer: Jacki Vawter ISBN: 0-7534-5399-1 Neil Armstrong Tim Goss    For any child interested in becoming an astronaut, this is an inspirational and informative biography. The emphasis is on Armstrong's determination and hard work--the long hours he worked as a teenager to earn money for flying lessons, his focus and his drive, despite many setbacks in the space program. There is a great deal of suspense in the chapters leading up to Armstrong's walk on the moon. Many high-quality photographs accompany the text, and though the numerous sidebars interrupt the flow of the story a bit, they provide a great deal of information. The book contains an excellent timeline, glossary and index, as well as an extensive list of Websites where children can pursue additional information. This book is one of the "Trailblazers of the Modern World" series. 2002, World Almanac Library, Ages 9 to 12, $26.60. Reviewer: Barbara Carroll Roberts ISBN: 0-8368-5075-0 ISBN: 0-8368-5235-4 Project Apollo Ray Spangenburg and Kit Moser    Space travel was an alien concept until 1957 when the former Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite, followed quickly by the United States' Explorer I. Then in 1961 came a challenge from President John F. Kennedy to put a man on the moon. Project Apollo is the chronology of the space program during this historical time period. Written in story form, all aspects of the space program are covered, supplemented by maps and pictures. The race between the Soviet Union and the United States to put a man on the moon, the astronauts who participated and the political implications of the program are all included. Part of the "Out Of This World" series, this well-done reference book is equally enjoyable as a storybook. There are exceptional resources listed for those interested in further study and a space travel timeline, which gives the overview of the program. This would be appropriate supplementary material in social studies or science curriculums. 2001, Franklin Watts, Ages 10 to 12, $14.95. Reviewer: Paulette Jackson ISBN: 0-531-11761-8 Rocket to the Moon: The Incredible Story of the First Lunar Landing Lisa M. Combs Illustrated by Robert F. Goetzl    In 1969, the entire world sat transfixed as they heard over their radios and televisions, "Tranquility base here. The Eagle has landed." With those words from Neil Armstrong, humankind had finally landed on the moon. Since the Russian rocket Sputnik had already been sent into space, the United States longed to be the first to land men on the moon. Such drive resulted in NASA's Apollo project and this historic landing. Younger readers can follow along as Lisa Combs describes the Apollo 11 moon landing. Using simple language and beautiful illustrations by Robert Goetzl, Ms. Combs effectively presents this historic moment in our history. While this book is a fairly broad biographical overview, the author poses questions regarding how the astronauts might think and feel during their flight and landing on the moon. Questions such as, "What was he [Michael Collins] thinking as he circled the moon without his two friends?" provide readers a chance to search their own feelings about such a new and dangerous adventure. The book provides a minimum of scientific information regarding space travel, but can be used to introduce the topic to younger readers. 1999, BridgeWater/Troll Communications, $17.95 and $5.95. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn ISBN: 0-8167-6331-3 A Smile as Big as the Moon: A Teacher, His Class, and Their Unforgettable Journey Mike Kersjes, with Joe Layden    When Mike Kersjes first saw a magazine article about Space Camp, an educational experience of a lifetime for gifted students, he thought it would be perfect for his own special needs students. He was alone in that impression-his colleagues, principal, administration, and every person at Space Camp believed that there would never be a way that students with developmental and emotional problems could compete against the highly motivated and talented students who participate in Space Camp. The idea that they could finish, much less win anything, was never even considered. Despite enormous opposition and major obstacles, Kersjes persevered, gradually adding allies to his struggle and creating a curriculum developed to give his students the confidence to undertake a course that would be intimidating to most adults. The twenty students that Kersjes and his co-teacher, Robynn McKinney, coached to go to Space Camp are the stuff of Sunday night movies, complete with a wide range of developmental, emotional, and behavioral problems, yet their journey will win readers over. Readers will be heartened by this true tale of phenomenal success, made all the sweeter by the number of obstacles the class overcame. A postscript provides a welcome update to the lives of these memorable people. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2002, St. Martin's, Ages 15 up, $23.95. Reviewer: Betsy Fraser (VOYA, October 2002, Vol. 25, No. 4) ISBN: 0-312-27314-2 Spacebusters: The Race to the Moon Philip Wilkinson    Part of a new series "Eyewitness Readers" this offering provides an exciting and readable account of the American space program's crowning achievement--landing men on the moon and bringing them back. The story is enhanced by the insets that call out interesting facts, expand on the subject, and introduce new and related information. The nonfiction story will be of interest to both boys and girls and the excellent mix and quality of the illustrations make this book stand out. It also has great potential for ESOL and adult literacy programs because the subject matter will appeal to a very broad age range. This particular title is pegged at level 3 (grades 2 and 3) and it includes a glossary. 1998, DK Publishing, Ages 7 to 9, $3.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-7894-2961-6 Best Books: Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for Pre-K--Grade 6, 12th Edition, 1999; National Council of Teachers of English; United States Walking on the Moon Deborah A. Shearer    This title in the "Explore Space!" series gives a simple overview of the first moonwalk and the Apollo missions to the moon. Readers will learn how the astronauts felt when they first walked on the moon. The moon's surface, atmosphere, and gravity are explained in large text with three to four sentences per page. Full-page color photographs accompany the text, and captions are included that add more detailed information. A hands-on activity to make moon footprints is included to reinforce concepts learned. A glossary of " Words to Know" and a bibliography with Internet sites makes this series a handy addition for a classroom theme unit about space. 2002, Capstone Press, $18.60. Ages 7 to 12. Reviewer: Cheryl Peterson ISBN: 0-7368-1145-1 What the Moon is Like Franklyn M. Branley Illustrated by True Kelley    From the beginning, the imaginative illustrations and authentic photos draw the reader into this simple but clear scientific exploration of the moon. There are many facts to interest children. The book starts with what people see when they look up at the moon--a man, a rabbit, or Jack and Jill. A closer look shows light and dark patches that represent hills, craters, and wide fields. A map of the moon shows where the six Apollo flights landed. What the moon explorers discovered were rocks, hills, mountains, and flat surfaces--but no air or water. Walking on the moon can be fun since you weigh less and can jump high, but it can also be tricky with the bulky spacesuits and the deep dust. The moon's sky is always black with stars in it even when the sun is shining. Children reading the book find out they may have the chance to work in a moon colony some day. They are invited to make moon craters, draw or keep a diary about living on the moon, or calculate how much they would weigh on the moon. Web sites are provided for further study. One in the "Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2" series. 2000 (orig. 1986), HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 5 to 9, $15.95, $15.89, and $4.95. Reviewer: Carol Raker Collins ISBN: 0-06-027992-3 ISBN: 0-06-445185-2 ISBN: 0-06-027993-1 Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, 2001; H.W. Wilson; United States Reviews - Fiction Big Dog and Little Dog Visit the Moon Selina Young    Big Dog and Little Dog are out one night when they look at the moon and notice it looks sad. The friends decide there is one thing they should do; figure out how to make the moon happy. The two friends build a rocket together, fly to the moon, and accomplish their mission. Big Dog and Little Dog do not stop with one visit; however, they decide to travel to the moon every Monday for a cheer-up visit. Young children will like the vivid colors and cartoon-y figures, and laugh at the way the two dogs work together to achieve a goal, despite their opposing sizes. Part of the "Blue Bananas" series for beginning readers, children who find Big Dog and Little Dog appealing will want to read Big Dog and Little Dog Go Sailing. The "life lessons" presented for children in the Big Dog/Little Dog books are similar to those found in the popular Berenstain Bear series. 2002, Crabtree Publishing, Ages 4 to 8, $4.95. Reviewer: Colette Devery ISBN: 0-7787-0849-7 ISBN: 0-7787-0895-0 Hare and Tortoise Race to the Moon Retold and illustrated by Oliver J. Corwin    This updated version of Aesop's familiar fable features a good-natured race between best friends. Hare challenges Tortoise with a race to the moon. Hare has lots of money enabling him to buy an aerodynamic hyperspaceship of the latest design. Tortoise, having no money, makes a spaceship with materials he can find for nothing. Squirrel shouts the countdown. Tortoise's spaceship begins with a puff, puff, puff. Hare leaves with a VOOSH! Hare quickly gains the lead and decides he has time for side trips to the North Pole and the African plains. He then stops for a nap on a cloud. Tortoise keeps a sure and steady route. Of course, he wins. Hare arrives moments later and the two friends frolic in the rarefied atmosphere of the moon. The colorful pictures against a black background were inspired by traditional Moroccan art. Both the energy and the tranquility of the tale are beautifully illustrated. 2002, Harry N Abrams, Ages 5 to 7, $14.95. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer ISBN: 0-8109-0566-3 Little Wolf and the Moon Marjorie Dennis Murray    Every child has sometimes asked "How?" and "Why?" This is also true of Little Wolf. Each night, he gazes at the moon and wonders. How does it move? How is it so large? How does it shine? Seasons pass, and Little Wolf grows, plays with the other cubs, and learns about the forest. Still he wonders about the moon. Meanwhile, the moon wonders about him. Stacey Schuett's watercolor illustrations are a comforting accompaniment to Marjorie Dennis Murray's story. A perfect bedtime tale, this book celebrates the spirit of questioning and encourages children to find out about the world around them. 2002, Marshall Cavendish, Ages 4 to 8, $16.95. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green ISBN: 0-7614-5100-5 Man on the Moon: A Day in the Life of Bob Simon Bartram    Bob seems an ordinary enough fellow on his way to work, but his job is far from ordinary. For Bob keeps the moon clean and tidy. He also lectures to the tourists and even sells souvenirs. When the work day is over, he rockets back to earth to join the usual rush hour, then cleans up and goes to bed. He is sure that rumors of aliens on the moon are nonsense. The mostly double-page acrylic illustrations are meanwhile telling us otherwise. They are solidly painted and sculpturesque, with doll-like characters. The settings include details of the pock-marked moonscape, the rocket ship's complex control panel, and a wonderfully crowded night-time cityscape crowded with aliens, humans, buses, etc. The creatures are more Halloween mask types than frightening. Their appearance mocks the tongue-in-cheek text that insists that "there's never anyone there." Bob's not in on the joke, but we are. 2002, Candlewick Press, Ages 3 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-7636-1897-7 Man on the Moon: A Day in the Life of Bob Simon Bartram    Bob might start his day like a lot of other people--getting out of bed, having breakfast, buying a newspaper, and heading out for work--but his day is sure to be very different. That is because Bob works on the moon! He takes a rocket ship to work, then begins to clean up. After lunch, he provides entertainment for tourist spacecrafts, gives guided tours, sells souvenirs, switches on the night-light, and heads home. Simon Bartram's clever story provides a lot of sight gags; even as we are told several times that Bob does not believe there are any aliens-"Bob would know if there were any aliens, wouldn't he?" -the illustrations reveal otherwise. From the single alien in the first picture to the many in the last, children will enjoy this joke, and their parents are sure to laugh right along with them. 2002, Candlewick, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green ISBN: 0-7636-1897-7 Moonchild, Star of the Sea Geraldine Elschner Illustrated by Lieselotte Schwarz Translated by J. Alison James    Gazing down at the Earth and fascinated by all the blue places, Little Star longs to know more about the sea. The Moon grants the wish and sends Little Star to Earth to learn all that he can. "He swam with schools of fish through forests of seaweed and caves of coral. Down in the deep water all was still; at the surface the waves swished and swelled. The little star was thrilled." All throughout his journey, Little Star learns about the land and sea and is watched over by the Moon. When Little Star has learned all that he can, he is ready to return to the sky. Leaving behind a small treasure of himself, a small child is delighted to find it along the beach. With lyrical text and bold watercolors, follow Little Star on his voyage of discovery. Simple lines and vivid colors provoke a sense of wonder. 2002, Michael Neugbauer/Nord-Sud, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Laura Hummel ISBN: 0-7358-1664-6 ISBN: 0-7358-1665-4 Moonchild, Star of the Sea Geraldine Elschner Illustrated by Lieselotte Schwarz Translated by J. Alison James    Up high in the sky, a little star learns about the faraway sea from the wise moon. Fascinated by it, he asks to go down to the sea. When the moon feels he is ready, he is told that he will become a seastar. He is to learn all he can on earth, and then return. He has a wonderful time exploring with new friends, while always seeing the moon watching over him at night. After journeying all around the world, he feels ready to go back home. But "far away on a lonely beach, a child found a star washed up on the sand?and carried it home, a treasure..." This mystical tale reflects on the wonders of the earth, along with the joy of returning home, and perhaps the origin of starfish. The full-page textured watercolors and text-page small vignettes employ geometric and other stencil-like shapes. Very decorative, the symbols for objects interact to produce visually compelling page designs which enhance the magic of the story. 2002, A Michael Neugebauer Book/North-South Books, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95 and $16.50. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-7358-1664-6 ISBN: 0-7358-1665-4 Moon Demon Lynne Ewing    The seventh installment of the Daughters of the Moon series focuses on Vanessa's changing life. Her sixteenth birthday is approaching, and instead of feeling excitement, she is filled with dread. She is one year away from having to decide if she will "make the transition." Vanessa is not a regular girl, you see--she is a goddess. As it happens, so are all her friends. The transition involves the decision of committing to being a goddess forever, or resigning oneself to being human. Vanessa's birthday is not the only thing bothering her. She is yearning to break free from her good-girl image. The opportunity to do so manifests itself in the appearance of Hector--a dark and mysterious stranger. Hector is obviously drawn to Vanessa, and she does not shy away from him. Around him she can be whomever she chooses. Is Hector who he says he is, or is he a part of the powerful Atrox? This story is predictable and does not hold many surprises. The reader knows who Hector is simply by reading the prologue. Teens, however, will relate to the plot that deals with issues such as relationships, friendship, and feelings of isolation. Aside from the forced skater slang that is unlike that of real-life, many teens, including fans of L. J. Smith and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, will enjoy this latest installment. VOYA CODES: 2Q 4P J S (Better editing or work by the author might have warranted a 3Q; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2002, Hyperion/Disney, Ages 12 up, $9.99. Reviewer: Stacy Dillon (VOYA, February 2003, Vol. 25, No. 6) ISBN: 0-7868-0849-7 Rise the Moon   Eileen Spinelli Illustrated by Raúl Colón    The mystic quality of the moonlight is poetically evoked in brief lines of verse. On the other side of each double page of text a lunar moth flits across a moonflower vine, an artist paints, a dancer dances, a baker rolls a pie crust; all these and more bask in the moonlight's "tender magic." For "we are moon-hearted creatures all." Colón's textured watercolors, scratched, scraped, and etched before applying colored pencils, enhance the romanticism of the verses. Although the full and double-page scenes are naturalistic, each has a moon whose facial features seem to be reacting to the action. It howls with the wolf pack, winks at the sleepy sailor, smiles broadly at the painter, and so forth. Nighttime colors rely heavily on the blues and reflected yellow light to produce this series of mood pieces, perfect soothing bedtime reading. 2003, Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Putnam, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-8037-2601-5 Rooftop Rocket Party   Roland Chambers    Children who construct forts from pillows and drive cars made from boxes will relate to Finn, a young boy who discovers rockets in the rooftop water towers of New York. When Finn visits Doctor Gass, a famous rocket scientist who knows things with "mathematical certainty," he is quickly set straight about his ideas that the moon is made of cheese, and that the Man in the Moon eats said cheese for supper. But Finn's imagination is not so easily discouraged, and he accepts an invitation from a "Night Thing" to attend the Man in the Moon's birthday party. There, the guests feast on cream puffs (the cheese has already been eaten) and Moon Shine, and play "The Bouncing Game," which will likely demand an explanation of relative gravity to young listeners. The next morning, faced with a body of evidence that is unmathematical but decidedly certain, even Doctor Gass is flummoxed by Finn's apparent night travels. Doctor Gass's scientific sureness and Finn's ingenuous curiosity combine to make space infinitely intriguing. Whimsical illustrations and a busy layout give readers much to process, and subsequent readings are as enjoyable--if not more so--than the initial one. 2003, Roaring Book Press/Millbrook Press, Ages 4 to 8, $16.95. Reviewer: Diane Frook ISBN: 0-7613-2744-4 ISBN: 0-7613-1888-7 Best Books: Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, February 10, 2003; Cahners; United States To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here. Updated 7/1/03