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STELLAR STORIES: How to Be on the Moon


Written and Illustrated by Viviane Schwarz
Candlewick Press, 2019. Picture Book.

       "Let's go to the moon!" said Anna.
       "But that's out in space," said Crocodile. "Space is dark, and there's nobody there, and the moon is really very far away. It will be almost impossible."
       "I like that," said Anna. "Let's go!"

In anticipation of the fiftieth anniversary of Apollo 11's moon landing, here's a dynamic little picture book about two friends embarking on their own outer space journey. What special skills do they need? (Math and patience.) How should they prepare? (Make sandwiches, build a rocket, and pack the travel games.) And what will the moon be like when they get there? I enjoyed the text of this picture book as much as any I've read this year. The charming banter between bold Anna and cautious Crocodile reminds me of A. A. Milne's dialogue between Christopher Robin and his animal friends. A delight!

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