I Want to Go to the Moon

by Tom Saunders, Cynthia Nugent (Illustrator)

From the time when young Neil Armstrong took his first small steps and spoke his first words, he wanted to travel into space. Although everyone told him it was impossible, he never gave up. Tom Saunders' song tells the story of Armstrong's life, concluding with the day he made that world-changing "giant leap." In this book, Saunders' poetic, inspiring lyrics are brought to life by the illustrations of award-winning Cynthia Nugent. A CD of the song is also included.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2010

Reviews

[Jackson Pritt · Rating 2 out of 5]

My kids like this book a lot but I find it really problematic and don't like the way that Neil Armstrong's life has been fictionalized in this retelling of his story.

To hear Saunders tell it Armstrong knew exactly what he wanted to do with the rest of his life from birth and was discouraged and belittled in his career at every turn before proving everyone wrong in the end and magically attaining his "unattainable" goal. It's a very "Disneyfied" version of the story that fabricates motives and invents impediments that never existed to try to make a "better" story than what happened in reality.

The real life version of Armstrong's story is inspiring enough as it is and adding in weird elements like rooms full of teachers and scientists telling him manned space flight was impossible, or an interlude where he was rejected from flight training and had to work as a dishwasher, teach children the wrong lesson. In reality Armstrong was interested in aeronautics at a young age and strongly encouraged to follow his passions. He set goals for himself and realized them by making smart choices in the pursuit of his passion and putting himself in the right places at the right time. Maybe the reality isn't as "inspiring" as the fiction Saunders lays out, but it's certainly a much better life lesson for the impressionable youth reading books at this level.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Ar...

[Cynthia Heinrichs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, encouraging story about a boy who refuses to give up his dreams despite everyone telling him that they're unattainable. Of course, he proves them wrong, but it's all in the telling. The verse/lyrics (a CD is included with the book) is catchy and the watercolours are gorgeous. This book makes me want to go to the moon, too.

[Coreena McBurnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fictional story of Neil Armstrong. Neil is a boy with a dream - from a very young age, he wants to go to the moon, but everyone around him discourages him because his dream is too big, too audacious, has never been done. They mean well, they don't want him to be disappointed, but Neil will not be talked out of his dream. He studies the subjects necessary, takes menial jobs when necessary, works hard and keeps his dream close.

This is really a sweet book, encouraging yet simple. It is actually a song, and the book includes a CD of Tom Saunders singing the story. My kids absolutely love it and listen to the CD over and over again and I find them singing the chorus throughout the day. It is quite catchy and Saunders has a nice voice.

And then there are the illustrations. Cynthia Nugent is obviously quite talented and captures the spirit of the story in colourful, whimsical drawings that kids are sure to love. My kids poured over the pictures, looking at every detail.

This is a fantastic book that I would highly recommend to kids. I love the message about following your dreams, being passionate, and doing the work you need to get where you want.

[Tina Jacobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of Neil Armstrong. Comes with CD very catchy song. My 5 year old loved it!