How We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity's Greatest Adventure
What’s inside...
A visually stunning and informative book by award-winning author and illustrator John Rocco, detailing the history of space exploration and the Apollo 11 mission. With detailed illustrations and information-packed text, the book provides a comprehensive look at the science, technology, and people behind the mission, including a foreword by astronaut John Glenn and a detailed timeline. It offers an engaging look at the challenges and triumphs of this historic achievement and is longlisted for the National Book Award. Everyone knows of Neil Armstrong's famous first steps on the moon. But what did it really take to get us there? The Moon landing is one of the most ambitious, thrilling, and dangerous ventures in human history. This fully illustrated book tells the stories of the 400,000 unsung heroes--the engineers, mathematicians, seamstresses, welders, and factory workers--and their innovations and life-changing technological leaps forward that allowed NASA to achieve this unparalleled accomplishment. From the shocking launch of the Russian satellite Sputnik to the triumphant splashdown of Apollo 11, Caldecott Honor winner John Rocco answers every possible question about this world-altering mission. Each step in the space race is revealed, examined, and displayed through diagrams, experiments, moments of crisis, and human stories.
Discussion points
What do you think were some of the biggest challenges the scientists and engineers faced when planning the moon mission?
Why is teamwork important in achieving big goals like landing on the moon?
How do you think technology has changed since the moon landing, and how might it help us explore space in the future?
If you had a chance to meet an astronaut, what questions would you ask them about their journey to the moon?
What role do you think curiosity and imagination play in scientific discoveries?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and ideas about space exploration, and share your own experiences or knowledge about space to deepen the conversation.
Connect the themes of the book to real-life events, such as watching a space launch online or visiting a local science museum to see space exhibits.
Use illustrations and photographs in the book to help your child visualize the technology, people, and processes involved in the moon mission.
Ask your child to imagine their own space mission. What would they discover? Who would they bring along? This can lead to creative discussions about the book's content.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and learning from failures, as shown in the moon mission, emphasizing these values in personal and academic pursuits.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The book details the collaborative efforts of thousands of people who worked together to make the moon landing possible, highlighting the importance of teamwork in achieving monumental tasks.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by working cooperatively with their peers in school projects or team sports, learning that collective effort can lead to substantial outcomes.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and innovation
Explanation: As the narrative unfolds, it showcases how scientists and engineers overcame numerous challenges with creative solutions during the space race.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to approach their own obstacles with a problem-solving mindset, understanding that persistence and creativity can help them navigate difficult situations.
Example Lesson: Perseverance and determination
Explanation: The book illustrates the relentless pursuit of the goal to land on the moon, despite setbacks and failures, underscoring the value of persistence.
Real-World Application: Kids can be inspired to persist in their endeavors, whether it’s mastering a new skill, improving in academics, or pursuing a personal project, realizing the importance of steadfastness.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: ‘How We Got to the Moon’ ignites curiosity about science and space exploration, showing how questions and a desire to understand the unknown propelled humanity to the moon.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to ask questions and seek knowledge in all areas of their life, promoting a lifelong love of learning.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The journey to the moon was filled with unforeseen challenges that required resilience from the entire team to continue moving forward.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of bouncing back from setbacks and continuing to pursue their goals, applicable in overcoming personal challenges or adapting to new situations.