Mission Control, This is Apollo : The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon by Andrew Chaikin

Whether or not you already know some about America's space missions to and from our moon, here you'll learn fascinating tidbits of history, science, art, and humankind.  Following an introduction of sorts about all that led to the development of the Apollo missions, there is an overview of each Apollo mission, set up from the viewpoint of the astronauts directly involved.  Complete with photographs, paintings, and inserts about all sorts of things (like, how do the astronauts go to the bathroom in space?!), the reader is treated to the whole picture of space travel -- from before Neil Armstrong's first step, to the many missions and achievements that followed.

Andrew Chaikin's words are supported by awesome images of the people, places, and things associated with the Apollo missions as painted by Alan Bean.  As the reader learns through an introduction as well as image captions and text within the book, Mr. Bean has spent a good part of his life as text pilot, astronaut, and artist, and was aboard the mission that landed him on the moon's surface in 1969.  Alan Bean's space suit and many more artifacts from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions can be seen at the National Air and Space Museum.


For more information on the author, visit his blog.
For more information on the artist, visit his website.


Recommended for all ages: to learn the most interesting things about space travel and the moon, and to gain the motivation to discover even more.
Call number: J 629.454 CHA (Children's Department)

Reviewed by kate the librarian.