The Usborne Book of the Moon
What’s inside...
Welcome to the story of our Moon - a story of Moon dust and Moon rabbits, cheese and astronauts, deep thoughts and bold plans. Read, dream and wonder as you discover ancient legends about the Moon's creation, meet the very first astronomers and learn about the Space Race. Published to celebrate the cultural and historical significance of the Moon, the book traces its story around the world and through history, from ancient legends about its creation, to its first sighting through a telescope, right up until the Apollo 11 mission and the first Moon landing in 1969. For thousands of years, the Moon has been the one thing in the night sky that everyone anywhere on our planet recognizes.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some of the different ways the moon has been described or used in stories and cultures around the world?
If you could visit the moon, what would you like to explore or discover there?
How do you think the moon affects our planet? Can you think of any examples?
What is something new you learned about the moon from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to make the moon's stories come to life, changing your tone to match the different moon myths and scientific facts.
Encourage your child to imagine and describe their own moon adventure or myth. This fuels creativity and connects them personally to the book’s content.
Connect book themes to real-life observations, such as watching the moon together in the night sky and discussing its phases or visible features.
After reading, facilitate a simple activity like drawing the moon or creating a moon phase calendar to reinforce the concepts learned.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: The book delves into the fascination with the moon, highlighting various missions and scientific studies.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and ask questions about the world around them, fostering a love for science and discovery.
Example Lesson: Historical awareness
Explanation: It chronicles the moon's role in different cultures and the history of moon observation.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to appreciate and learn from the past, understanding different cultural perspectives.
Example Lesson: Understanding natural phenomena
Explanation: Explains the phases of the moon and its effects on Earth like tides.
Real-World Application: Helps children grasp basic scientific concepts which can be observed in everyday life, enhancing their observational skills.
Example Lesson: Persistence and achievement
Explanation: Covers the challenges and triumphs of astronauts landing on the moon.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to pursue their goals diligently, understanding that persistence leads to success.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: Emphasizes collaboration among scientists and astronauts to achieve lunar missions.
Real-World Application: Teaches the value of working together to achieve common goals, applicable in school projects and team sports.