Margo's Musings: An Astronaut Painting the Moon?

We had a curbside delivery of books at our local library, so we ordered what we wanted ahead. Usually my little sister, Margo, loves running around and looking at the displays, and she picks the books we read. She still gave her thumbs up or thumbs down when we looked at the catalog, but her favorite book from this week's haul was one I requested, The True Story of Alan Bean: The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon. 

Looking up at the night sky is one of my family's favorite activities. It's a special time when we check out the constellations and the Moon. The Moon is amazing, and I think it would be fantastic to be an astronaut. The title grabbed my attention right away.

The True Story of Alan Bean: The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon is written by Dean Robbins and Illustrated by Sean Rubin. It tells the story of Alan as a boy, how he thought things looked, and his dream of becoming a pilot one day. When grew up and became a pilot, he also took painting classes. It was interesting to learn that he painted what he saw and let his imagination take over.  

As an astronaut he couldn't believe what the Moon and Earth were like from space.  He took pictures and even performed experiments on the soil. Once back on his home planet, Alan felt the pictures didn't do the Moon justice; they didn't show the magic. Alan set up Moon models and worked like a scientist to get everything right. Then he started painting what he saw and he let his imagination run wild.  He worked and worked until he felt his painting showed how the Moon made him feel. It was fascinating to learn about the ways he enhanced the textures in his artwork. 

Alan is an inspiration as an artist and an astronaut. The book has biographical information at the end, which I liked, but I think most of that went over Margo's head.

The pictures in the book caught our attention, but Alan's story made us fall in love with the Moon all over again. Margo and I set up easels and painted the Moon. I used a brush to paint, but my sister used her hands. Next week we'll do paintings of Earth.

I would definitely recommend this book to those who like space, painting, and using their imagination. You are sure to be inspired.

Has anyone else read The True Story of Alan Bean: The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon? Or have you read any other books written by Dean Robbins? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Happy Reading!
~F