Back of Book:
As a boy, Alan wanted to fly planes. As a young Navy pilot, Alan wished he could paint the view from the cockpit. So he took an art class to learn patterns and forms. But no class could prepare him for the beauty of the lunar surface some 240,000 miles from Earth. In 1969, Alan became the fourth man and first artist on the moon. He took dozens of pictures, but none compared to what he saw through his artistic eyes. When he returned to Earth, he began to paint what he saw. Alan’s paintings allowed humanity to experience what it truly felt like to walk on the moon.
My Review:
I was sent this picture book from Orchard Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
This picture book is out just in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Appolo moon mission. It focuses on the life of Alan Bean who was the fourth man to walk on the moon.
The story follows Alan from his job as a Navy pilot to his journey into space. Along the way, Alan began to dabble with paint and color. His dream was to capture the moon landing in all its glory. He wanted others to see the beauty the way he saw it. He tried to capture the colors so that others could experience it the way he had. The more he painted, the brighter the colors became. A museum displayed his paintings for everyone to see. I love the way author Dean Robbins captures the passion and determination of Alan Bean. The narrative is informational and engaging. It opens readers eyes to the history of the moon landing while incorporating stunning art. The illustrations by Sean Rubin are detailed and bright. I love the combination of real photos and illustrations. It allows readers to see both perspectives of the moon. The back of the book has a detailed note from the author about the life of Alan Beat. It also has a timeline and photos from the moon landing. This is a perfect nonfiction addition for any space or STEM unit.
Ages 6 and up
40 Pages
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