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Moon's First Friends: One Giant Leap for Friendship
A New York Times Bestseller!
A heartwarming story of a friendship-seeking moon that also celebrates the extraordinary 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing!
From high up in the sky, the Moon has spent her whole life watching Earth and hoping for someone to visit. Dinosaurs roam, pyramids are built, and boats are made, but still no one comes. Will friends ever come visit her?
One day a spaceship soars from Earth...and so does her heart.
Includes bonus educational pages about the moon mission!
A heartwarming story of a friendship-seeking moon that also celebrates the extraordinary 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing!
From high up in the sky, the Moon has spent her whole life watching Earth and hoping for someone to visit. Dinosaurs roam, pyramids are built, and boats are made, but still no one comes. Will friends ever come visit her?
One day a spaceship soars from Earth...and so does her heart.
Includes bonus educational pages about the moon mission!
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2019
About the author
Susanna Leonard Hill
39 books105 followersSusanna is the New York Times Bestselling Author of MOON'S FIRST FRIENDS: ONE GIANT LEAP FOR FRIENDSHIP, and the award-winning author of over 25 more books for children, including PUNXSUTAWNEY PHYLLIS, CAN'T SLEEP WITHOUT SHEEP, and the popular WHEN YOUR LION NEEDS A BATH series. Her books have been translated into French, Dutch, German, Turkish, Japanese, and Chinese. Susanna lives in New York's Mid-Hudson Valley with her children and her two rescue dogs. She loves chocolate, animals, and being outdoors.Please visit her website at www.susannahill.com and "Like" Susanna Leonard Hill on Face Book!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
August 24, 2019
This book teaches kids about history and science, framing the story as a wish for friendship by a lonely moon.
Starting billions of years ago, the story follows the Moon as she watches life on Earth evolve. But until humans come on the scene, she doesn't have much hope of getting to say hello to anyone in person.
The story is cute, and accented by sweet illustrations. The narrative itself is simple, and likely intended for much younger readers than the more scientific notes at the end. Those are nice, too, giving a basic overview of NASA's program to reach the Moon, as well as technical information about the rockets and modules used to get there. There might be a bit of a difference in the audience between these two parts of the book, but younger kids who are really interested in this sort of thing can of course "grow into" the more advanced section of the book.
Overall, this is a cute fictionalized tale about a real scientific subject. Kids who are interested in space and astronauts will likely find much to enjoy here.
Quotable moment:
Starting billions of years ago, the story follows the Moon as she watches life on Earth evolve. But until humans come on the scene, she doesn't have much hope of getting to say hello to anyone in person.
The story is cute, and accented by sweet illustrations. The narrative itself is simple, and likely intended for much younger readers than the more scientific notes at the end. Those are nice, too, giving a basic overview of NASA's program to reach the Moon, as well as technical information about the rockets and modules used to get there. There might be a bit of a difference in the audience between these two parts of the book, but younger kids who are really interested in this sort of thing can of course "grow into" the more advanced section of the book.
Overall, this is a cute fictionalized tale about a real scientific subject. Kids who are interested in space and astronauts will likely find much to enjoy here.
Quotable moment:
June 7, 2019
Feel good fun-packed facts!
If you want to giggle a little, wipe a tear or two, and learn tons of facts in the simplest, sweetest, realest way ever, Moon's First Friends is the perfect book for you. It belongs in every classroom and every household where there’s a curious kiddo, a scientific wonderer, a fun-loving friend, or where a smile is needed to kick off or wrap up a happy day.
If you want to giggle a little, wipe a tear or two, and learn tons of facts in the simplest, sweetest, realest way ever, Moon's First Friends is the perfect book for you. It belongs in every classroom and every household where there’s a curious kiddo, a scientific wonderer, a fun-loving friend, or where a smile is needed to kick off or wrap up a happy day.
August 1, 2020
Informational book with the scientific facts and history of the moon. The fun narration is from the moon's pov. The illustrations are oh so cute.
June 24, 2019
It was fine.
November 17, 2019
Just as the sun reflects on the moon's surface, this tale reflects a familiar story of friendship for children while also offering them a chance to inquire about the history of astronauts. Looking at this from the moon's perspective allows the reader a chance to feel sorry for the moon and hope that she will have a friend. It propels the page turns, keeping the reader engaged. Picture book magic!
February 22, 2019
This is the story of the Apollo Moon Landing... told from the Moon herself! For thousands of years she has watched Earth's creatures, wishing they would visit her-- and one day they did! A very adorable book with a very brief representation of Earth's evolutionary history leading up to her shining moment.
October 11, 2019
Moon waits and waits for someone to visit her. She waits through the time of the dinosaurs, early man, the Pyramids, the first planes, and occasionally shows off with an eclipse to draw attention to herself. At last she gets a visitor, and the visit is sweet for both the visitors and the Moon.
A nice walk through history.
A nice walk through history.
January 13, 2025
I've read better Earth to the Moon books. I just didn't like the premise much. And the text was lame. And then there was too much afterword and of the wrong sort. I mean yeah, I'm not the target audience. But an awful lot of nonfiction picture books will also work as an older kids reference book. I'd say, read something else.
November 1, 2020
Moon is lonely and watches Earth in hopes of getting visitors. Told from Moon's point of view, this is a very broad overview of Earth's history in relation to the Apollo 11 lunar landing. An entertaining story and informative back matter will hook young readers interested in spaceflight.
August 11, 2025
A bit of perspective on the first men landing on the moon . . . from the moon's POV!
June 8, 2019
At the Barnes and Noble story time in Silverdale, Washington. We had an astronaut cookie and got cool coloring sheets that are space themed!
June 8, 2019
Read on the 50th anniversary of our landing on the moon.
June 5, 2019
I am a huge space nerd. I am looking forward to all of the celebrations getting ready to happen in the next month or two surrounding the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. When I saw this picture book, I had to have it. The story is pretty cute. I loved the illustrations and the way it teaches little kiddos about the moon landing. Loved the non-fiction history at the end.
June 7, 2019
Beautiful illustrations and a history of a he first moon landing.
June 6, 2019
Fun premise, with a creative perspective on the moon landing.
June 6, 2019
Very cute
July 11, 2019
SUPER CUTE!!! <3
April 10, 2019
Cute, simplified history of the first moon landing--from the moon's perspective. Starting with a brief history of evolution and human civilization was a strange choice (and very simplified) but it's a cute story. Lots of meaty back matter included about the Apollo 11 mission, moon phases, and more.
January 27, 2019
Super sweet story told from the moon's perspective- watching over everything on earth, just wanting visitors/friends! I love the progression of time, I love the friendship aspect, I love the unique perspective, and I love the QR code at the end that lets kids hear Neil Armstrong!
May 8, 2020
Belivathon 2019
Read a book with a strong sense of friendship
Read a book with a strong sense of friendship
August 4, 2020
This book is a favorite of mine. Moon's First Friends is a creative and imaginative tale about the Moon being visited by the Apollo 11 astronauts. Lots of fun facts in the back matter as well.
August 1, 2025
This book gives the mistaken impression that the moon was first befriended by NASA scientists and astronauts, ignoring eons of human history. The moon has been one of humanity’s closest friends since the dawn of time when ancient peoples saw the first moonrise. Ancient petroglyphs clearly show that prehistoric peoples were avid sky watchers. Astronomers of yore carefully charted the moon’s movements to calculate when to plant crops and make important decisions, such as when to wage war or make peace. Religious leaders have counted on the moon to tell them when to conduct fertility rituals and when to celebrate holy days like Easter and Passover and Ramadan. Ancient mariners befriended the moon and expressed gratitude for its light while navigating the seven seas. Countless lovers have expressed their deepest desires to their lunar confidante, and artists of all stripes have sought inspiration from the moon. No, Luna has never been lonely, nor has she ever been friendless.
Ironically, what did her so-called “first friends” do when they paid her a visit? They left all sorts of trash from the lunar landing. Some friends! Endearing illustrations of the moon in all her phases suggest that she would forgive even the most selfish and self-serving of her friends. End pages include information about the Apollo 11 mission, the lunar landing, astronauts, rockets, and space gear.
Ironically, what did her so-called “first friends” do when they paid her a visit? They left all sorts of trash from the lunar landing. Some friends! Endearing illustrations of the moon in all her phases suggest that she would forgive even the most selfish and self-serving of her friends. End pages include information about the Apollo 11 mission, the lunar landing, astronauts, rockets, and space gear.
July 2, 2019
Great story about the moon's desire to have visitors. She invites the dinosaurs to come, but they stay on earth. She invites the animals of earth to visit, but they don't come either. Then she sees people starting fire and imagines they want to see the stars in the sky. She waits and waits as people build pyramids and then boats, bicycles, cars, and finally planes. Finally, she watches as scientists experiment with rockets, eventually sending a chimpanzee in orbit. But the chimp doesn't reach her. Then one glorious day comes when people launched a rocket which hurtles toward the moon. She's so excited to welcome them. She gives them gifts of rocks and dust, and they leave her gifts of a plaque and flag. Now she looks forward to another visit... maybe from you!
Bonus codes on the front and back pages lets you listen to the Apollo 11 countdown and Neil Armstrong's first words on the moon with a scan reader you can download to your phone.
Bonus codes on the front and back pages lets you listen to the Apollo 11 countdown and Neil Armstrong's first words on the moon with a scan reader you can download to your phone.
July 10, 2019
I saw this book in Barnes and Noble with a deal. If I bought a regular book, this book would only be $7.99. What a bargain! Plus my son loves all things space, so I got two other books I thought my kids would like.
We love this book – especially my 2 year old daughter. I didn’t think she’d pay attention to it, but she’s in love with the illustration of the moon. She really think the moon is her friend, it’s adorable!
The moon is our main character and she wishes for someone to visit her. It shows how one day in July 1969, some people did visit her when America sent astronauts to the moon. After the fictional story there are a few pages at the end dedicated to talking about the actual moon mission which interested my son. I learned a few things also about that mission.
Overall, a beautifully done book. I’ve read it more than 10 times in the past week alone! Did I say my daughter loves this book? 😍 We love it!
We love this book – especially my 2 year old daughter. I didn’t think she’d pay attention to it, but she’s in love with the illustration of the moon. She really think the moon is her friend, it’s adorable!
The moon is our main character and she wishes for someone to visit her. It shows how one day in July 1969, some people did visit her when America sent astronauts to the moon. After the fictional story there are a few pages at the end dedicated to talking about the actual moon mission which interested my son. I learned a few things also about that mission.
Overall, a beautifully done book. I’ve read it more than 10 times in the past week alone! Did I say my daughter loves this book? 😍 We love it!
October 18, 2019
The moon's face, on the cover (and throughout the book), is so tender and full of child-like wonder and excitement, it immediately snags the potential reader. Elisa definitely boosted the books meteoric success with these covers.
While this is an adorable book about the moon's desire for a friend and the first Apollo moon landing, it is also a very subtle science and history book as well. With just enough information to get kids asking questions and spurring conversations and hopefully research, Susanna and Elisa supply teasers of the Mercury capsule missions, the rocket separation, and finally an exchange of gifts between friends. And to top it all off, there's five pages of excellent, conversational back matter. This is truly a delightful informational fiction book, that will appeal to a wide range of children and adults. It is a great introduction to the moon, space, and NASA. One I hope will be in every library.
While this is an adorable book about the moon's desire for a friend and the first Apollo moon landing, it is also a very subtle science and history book as well. With just enough information to get kids asking questions and spurring conversations and hopefully research, Susanna and Elisa supply teasers of the Mercury capsule missions, the rocket separation, and finally an exchange of gifts between friends. And to top it all off, there's five pages of excellent, conversational back matter. This is truly a delightful informational fiction book, that will appeal to a wide range of children and adults. It is a great introduction to the moon, space, and NASA. One I hope will be in every library.
November 8, 2023
Welcome to a preschooler's version of the Apollo 11 mission, described as a planet who has "spent her whole life... hoping for someone to visit.
Funny, when I watched the moon landing on TV some 50 years ago, I didn't appreciate that the moon was a lonely little girl. Let alone that the moon's phases represented her attempts to show off "for the people below."
CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE
"One giant leap for mankind." For humankind, yes. I agree with those famous words.
"One giant leap of friendship, consoling a confused little girl who happens to be a planet?" Not so convincing to me.
But considering the cognitive and emotional nature of a typical four-year-old... I can see how this intended audience would believe this book deserved a FIVE STAR rating. So here we have it.
Funny, when I watched the moon landing on TV some 50 years ago, I didn't appreciate that the moon was a lonely little girl. Let alone that the moon's phases represented her attempts to show off "for the people below."
CHOOSE YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE
"One giant leap for mankind." For humankind, yes. I agree with those famous words.
"One giant leap of friendship, consoling a confused little girl who happens to be a planet?" Not so convincing to me.
But considering the cognitive and emotional nature of a typical four-year-old... I can see how this intended audience would believe this book deserved a FIVE STAR rating. So here we have it.
July 20, 2019
For many, many years, the moon has watched the Earth from her home high in the sky. She’s wished to have someone from Earth visit her, for she is lonely. But no one comes. Will she ever have a visitor?
This Adult-Directed picture book, for children ages four through eight, will delight both young readers and their parents with its enchanting friendship message. Charming illustrations accompany the text; information about the moon, the Apollo 11 flight, spacesuits, and the Saturn V rocket follows the story.
The publisher provides an online Educator Guide for grades one through three; the Barnes and Noble special edition of the book includes a special bonus moon poster printed on the inside of the book jacket.
Highly recommended.
This Adult-Directed picture book, for children ages four through eight, will delight both young readers and their parents with its enchanting friendship message. Charming illustrations accompany the text; information about the moon, the Apollo 11 flight, spacesuits, and the Saturn V rocket follows the story.
The publisher provides an online Educator Guide for grades one through three; the Barnes and Noble special edition of the book includes a special bonus moon poster printed on the inside of the book jacket.
Highly recommended.
April 1, 2021
“Moon's First Friends: One Giant Leap for Friendship” by Susanna Leonard Hill sheds light on the lengthy existence of the moon by uniquely portraying the animal evolution and technological advancements that have occurred on earth to bridge the gap between the two. The author cleverly interwove accurate scientific data to educate readers on this topic and provides a subsequent “Moon Mission” page for readers interested in delving further into the scientific data influencing the storyline. The vibrant illustrations further enhance readers’ understanding of this data. For instance, the story reads “she spun and twirled, from new moon to majestic silver pearl and back again…” whilst readers see the phases of the moon dance across the page.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2022
I received an electronic copy from Sourcebooks Wonderland through Edelweiss+.
A look at the Moon's relationship with the Earth from the Moon's perspective. The Moon tries to convince Earth's inhabitants from the dinosaurs onward to come up and visit. None do. Finally, a team does arrive and stay for a little while. The Apollo mission leaves some gifts and accepts rocks and dust as a gift from the Moon. The illustrations offer details to support the story. The ending encourages readers to learn and dream and see if they will choose to come to the Moon.
Informative text about the Moon and Apollo space program included at the end.
Don't miss the QR code link so readers can hear Neil Armstrong speaking from that first Moon landing.
A look at the Moon's relationship with the Earth from the Moon's perspective. The Moon tries to convince Earth's inhabitants from the dinosaurs onward to come up and visit. None do. Finally, a team does arrive and stay for a little while. The Apollo mission leaves some gifts and accepts rocks and dust as a gift from the Moon. The illustrations offer details to support the story. The ending encourages readers to learn and dream and see if they will choose to come to the Moon.
Informative text about the Moon and Apollo space program included at the end.
Don't miss the QR code link so readers can hear Neil Armstrong speaking from that first Moon landing.
August 15, 2019
Cute history of the moon and the Apollo 11 landing using a personified Moon. This book blends fantasy with historical and scientific facts. A section in the back opts for the straight-up factual approach with fun facts, diagrams, etc.
And while I know that parts of this book were obviously meant to be fantasy, I really wish we could stop depicting the animals who have been shot into space experimentally over the years as happy and grinning and having a great time. You don't have to be an expert in animal behavior to conclude that the primates and other animals subjected to these tests experienced fear, discomfort, and confusion.
And while I know that parts of this book were obviously meant to be fantasy, I really wish we could stop depicting the animals who have been shot into space experimentally over the years as happy and grinning and having a great time. You don't have to be an expert in animal behavior to conclude that the primates and other animals subjected to these tests experienced fear, discomfort, and confusion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews