The Moon
By: Kristin Pecoraro
This website is designed to assist teachers/parents
while teaching a science unit on the moon. This annotated bibliography
contains a variety of children's literature including informational books,
traditional literature, picture books, biographies, a novel, and professional
resources. The resources on this page are appropriate for various
ages of students, ranging from preschool/kindergarten through 8th grade.
Informational Books:
Fowler, Alan. When You Look Up at the Moon. Canada: Children’s
Press, 1994.
This book discusses the basic information about the
moon, the different phases of the moon, and astronauts. I chose this book
because it is part of the Rookie Read-About Science Series, which means
that it is designed for beginning readers. There are only one or two sentences
on each page, which make the book easy for young children to read. This
book also has great pictures of the moon and astronauts. The book ends with
important words that the reader should remember.
Lassieur, Allison. The Moon. Canada: Children’s Press, 2000.
This book discusses the moon in detail. Some
of the topics discussed are the characteristics of the moon, the phases
of the moon, and astronauts visiting the moon. I chose this book,
because it covers important information about the moon, and it is written
at a level that can be read and understood by students in third grade or
higher. I also like this book because it includes real photographs
of the moon and astronauts. This book can be helpful to teachers and
students, because it includes a list of books, online sites, and a glossary
of important words that are related to the moon.
Traditional Literature:
Choldenko, Gennifer. Moonstruck: The True Story of the Cow Who Jumped
Over the
Moon. New York: Hyperion Paperbacks for
Children, 1997.
This book is told from the point of view of a horse.
The horse does not think that the cow will ever be able to jump over the
moon, but the cow proves him wrong. I chose this book because I think
it is a really cute and funny story. Even though this is a picture
book, it contains a slight amount of sarcasm. Students in fifth grade
and higher would truly understand and appreciate this story.
Ehlert, Lois. Moon Rope: Un lazo a la luna. San Diego: Harcourt
Brace Jovanovich,
1992.
This book is a different version of a Peruvian folktale.
It is the story of how Mole and Fox try to climb to the moon on a rope.
I chose this book because it is great for English speaking students as well
as ESL students. Each page contains English text and a translation
into Spanish.
Reeves, James. How the Moon Began. London: Abelard-Schuman Limited,
1971.
This is a folk tale of how the moon began.
It was originally from Grimm, but it has been retold by James Reeves.
It is the story of four brothers who lived in the land of Exe, which did
not have a moon. They traveled to the land of Wye and stole the moon
and brought it back to Exe. When the four brothers died they took
the moon with them to their graves. Soon Saint Peter found the moon
and hung it up in heaven. I chose this book because students might
find it interesting to read an old folk tale about the moon.
Picture Books:
Asch, Frank. Happy Birthday Moon. New York: Simon & Schuster
Books for Young Readers, 1982.
In this book a bear believes he is having a conversation
with the moon. The bear thinks he has the same birthday as the moon,
so he buys him a birthday present. I chose this book because I always
loved reading it when I was a child, and I think children today will still
enjoy reading this book. This book is great because it can be connected
to science, math, and social studies.
Asch, Frank. Moongame. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1984.
In this book a bear plays a game of hide and seek
with the moon. The bear thinks the moon is lost when he is actually
hiding behind some clouds. I chose this book because it is a cute
story that primary children will love to read. I also like this book
because young students can make up their own story just by looking at the
pictures.
Conrad, Donna. See You Soon Moon. New York: Alfred A. Knopf,
2001.
This book is about a young boy who is going to visit
his grandmother and realizes that the moon follows him. I chose this
book because it is a good way to help young children realize that you can
see the moon everywhere you go at night. The illustrations are unusual
because they look like they are made out of clay.
Emmett, Jonathon. Bringing Down the Moon. Cambridge: Candlewick
Press, 2001.
This book is about a mole that wants to pull the
moon down from the sky, because he thinks that it is so beautiful.
Mole tries everything that he can think of until he finally realizes, with
the help of his friends, that it is impossible to pull the moon out of the
sky. I chose this book because I liked the story and it has cute
pictures. I also chose this book because it will help teach young
children the idea of how high the moon actually is.
Garelick, Mary. Look at the Moon. Greenvale: MONDO Publishing,
1996.
In this book a girl wonders if the same moon shines
on all parts of the world. By the end of the book the girl gets the
answer to the question that she has been asking. I chose this book
because I think it is fun to read. Children should enjoy this book
because it is written in rhyme, and the illustrations are very detailed.
Gollub, Matthew. Gobble, Quack, Moon. Santa Rose: Tortuga Press,
2002.
This book is about barnyard animals that wonder what
it is like to go somewhere besides the barn. The animals build a
rocket, fly to the moon, and have a dance party on the surface of the moon.
I chose this book because it is a funny story with hilarious pictures.
Children will love this book and the pictures are sure to make everyone
laugh. This book comes with an audio CD of the story.
Raschka, Chris. Can’t Sleep. New York: Orchard Books, 1995.
In this book the moon comforts a young dog that is
afraid to go to sleep. This book gives children the idea that the
moon will always be awake to watch over them. I chose this book because
I think it is a cute story for primary age students. Parents can
even read this book to their children if they are having bedtime fears.
Smith, Linda. When Moon Fell Down. New York: Harper Collins Publishers,
2001.
In this book the moon falls down and lands on a farmer’s
lawn. This book is about the adventures the moon has with a cow.
I chose this book because I loved the pictures. The illustrator displays
the moon as a man with a moon for a head, and I think children will think
this is funny.
Biographies:
Brown, Don. One Giant Leap: The Story of Neil Armstrong. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin
Company, 1998.
This book discusses the life of Neil Armstrong from
his childhood to his landing on the moon. I chose this book because it is
written at a level that can be understood by 2nd and 3rd graders. This book
emphasizes the fact that Neil Armstrong was an average boy who never gave
up on his dream. This book also sends a positive message to children: "Dreams
really do come true for ordinary people."
Kramer, Barbara. Neil Armstrong: The First Man on the Moon. Springfield:
Enslow Publishers, 1997.
This is a chapter book that explores the life of
astronaut, Neil Armstrong. This book discusses his life from his
childhood until his career after he landed on the moon. I chose this
book because it contains a lot of information about Neil Armstrong’s life,
including his life before and after the moon landing. This book can
probably be read and understood by students in fifth grade or higher.
It would work great as a resource for students who are doing a project or
report on Neil Armstrong.
Novel:
Danzinger, Paula. This Place Has No Atmosphere. New York: Delacorte
Press,
1986.
This novel takes place in the year 2057. It
is about a girl, named Aurora, who moves to a colony on the moon with her
family. This book describes Aurora’s adventures once she arrives in
this place with no atmosphere. I chose this book because it looks
like a fun book to read. Middle school students should enjoy reading
this novel, especially those who love science fiction books.
Professional Resources:
Yahooligans
NASA-Starchild