The First Men Who Went to the Moon

by Rhonda Gowler Greene, Scott Brundage (Illustrator)

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued a challenge to the nation: land astronauts on the moon by the end of the decade. The Apollo program was designed by NASA to meet that challenge, and on July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin Aldrin. Apollo 11's prime mission objective: "Perform a manned lunar landing and return." Four days after take-off, the Lunar Module "Eagle," carrying Armstrong and Aldrin, separated from the Command Module "Columbia," and descended to the moon. Armstrong reported back to Houston's Command Center, "The Eagle has landed." America and the world watched in wonder and awe as a new chapter in space exploration opened. Through verse and informational text, author Rhonda Gowler Greene celebrates Apollo 11's historic moon landing.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, Space, Childrens, Stem, Science

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 15, 2019

Reviews

[Christine Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

J629.454 Gre


2020 New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award Master ListIn 1961, President John F. Kennedy issued a challenge to the nation: land astronauts on the moon by the end of the decade. The Apollo program was designed by NASA to meet that challenge, and on July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 lifted off from Kennedy Space Center carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin Aldrin. Apollo 11's prime mission objective: "Perform a manned lunar landing and return." Four days after take-off, the Lunar Module "Eagle," carrying Armstrong and Aldrin, separated from the Command Module "Columbia," and descended to the moon. Armstrong reported back to Houston's Command Center, "The Eagle has landed." America and the world watched in wonder and awe as a new chapter in space exploration opened. Through verse and informational text, author Rhonda Gowler Greene celebrates Apollo 11's historic moon landing.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Members of my generation will surely remember staying up late or being awoken by their parents as I was to watch on our televisions the lunar landing and subsequent walk on the moon back on July 20, 1969. Launched on July 16, the craft traveled to the moon where the Eagle separated from the Columbia, which continued to orbit the moon at the hands of Michael Collins, and history was made as two men--Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, walked on the moon, leaving footprints that are still there. Complemented with full-color, full-page illustrations, the text has a poetic feel to it as this amazing true story unfolds in cumulative tale style. I'm sure at some point space travel will seem old hat to many, but for those of us who watched in awe, this book rekindled that sense of wonder that filled our hearts. The back matter includes interesting facts about the mission and the fact that 12 men have now walked on the moon.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent cumulative rhythmic verse--"These are the first men who went to the moon. This is the spacecraft Apollo 11, that lifted off and soared through the heavens, and carried the first men who went to the moon." Each spread has a new stanza that adds to the poem and ends with the first line of the previous stanza! And the poem comes full circle at the end, telling the whole story back to the beginning line. Callouts give sidebar facts about the moon mission. Absolutely gorgeous full color realistic paintings, based on actual photographs of the Apollo program but softened, given a romantic feel. Includes notes, sources, bibliography, actual photographs at the end too. A+ book for any young child who loves space and the journey to the stars.

[June Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non-fiction picture book has some rhyming and is filled with interesting and factual information for young learners about the Apollo 11 lunar mission in July, 1969. There is a sidebar with facts about the subject on each page.

Back matter includes an update about the Eagle and Columbia, More About the Mission and the Moon, Sources, and Books for Young Readers.

The illustrations are excellent and support the text very well.

Highly recommended for ages 5-8 or so and to fans of NASA's space programs, United States space history, science, astronomy, famous Americans, and astronauts.

I borrowed this book from the local public library.

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[Kathryn Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a distinctive, lyrical style with creative line repetition & rhyme, award-winning author Greene retells the story of Apollo 11’s mission to the moon & back. Each page turn leads to a dramatic, eye-catching image accompanied by a narrative stanza &, on some pages, a subtly-placed informational paragraph. Final spread includes moon photos & facts. Exceptional children's book celebrating the lunar landing! A library & classroom favorite since the book’s launch & a great addition to a home collection too!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple text with gorgeous paintings that look like photos take us on the trip by Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins to the moon. Some pages have additional details and there is backmatter with a whole lot more information that will likely fascinate our students. Scott Brundage and Rhonda Gowler Greene did a wonderful job with this book!

The copy I read was a library bound edition, not an ebook. ISBN 978-1-58536-412-1

[Heather McC · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was an elementary student, I dreamed of being an astronaut. That dream turned out to be short lived (fear of heights among other things), but this children's book made me feel like I was a member of the team. Covering the Apollo 11 mission, the first successful moon landing, full page illustrations enhance the simple text that may inspire further exploration.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that can be read on 2 levels.
There's text that follows "The House that Jack Built" pattern and, through half the book, there are additional facts and details that aren't necessary to read, but add a lot of color.

[Danielle Berwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little advanced for my toddlers but my school aged nephews found it interesting and educational. They had lots of questions which is great because it lead to awesome discussion.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures and rhyming lyrics tell a very simple story of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the “house that jack built” pattern, this book encapsulates the Apollo 11 mission in simple prose with SPACEFACTS inserted throughout

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's rhyming text is clunky and inconsistent, but it features appealing art and plenty of space facts and context to help young readers understand the moon landing.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really thought the "House that Jack Built" rhyme scheme was gonna bug me but it didn't after a page or two. I like the blend of simple story with added facts. Really nice introductory book.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to see so many Apollo 11 picture books for the kids. This one has lovely pictures along with mission facts on each page.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent telling. Beautiful pictures.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four stars for illustration
Two stars for text.

[Rene Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new picture book is a real treasure! The simple text is enriched by many nonfiction insets that elaborate on the story line. As someone who watched the first man walk on the moon, it was a trip down memory lane! It even prompted me to find my autograph from Buzz Aldrin that I had completely forgotten about! Kudos to the illustrator as well, who made this read extraordinary!

[Margaret]

There will come a day when no one alive will remember a time when humans have not walked on the moon. Now there are two groups; those who watched the news excitedly during July 1969 as the Apollo 11 spaceflight flew to the moon and back and those who were too young to remember or were not born yet. With the moon being 238, 900 miles away from our planet, this was an enormous feat fifty years ago.

It's still hard to comprehend humans walked on that glowing globe we watch shift and change in size and shape over the course of 29.5 days each cycle. With the anniversary approaching this summer, The First Men Who Went To The Moon (Sleeping Bear Press, March 15, 2019) written by Rhonda Gowler Greene with illustrations by Scott Brundage is a commemoration of the space program's commitment and accomplishments and human perseverance. Using verse, facts and stunning watercolor paintings, these collaborators recreate all the wonder of this monumental event.


My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...

[Y.Poston]

Good