Mission Moon: An Illustrated Guide to Space Exploration
By Sarah Mühlebach, translated by Marshall Yarbrough
Reviewed by Mia Macrossan
Space exploration is always a popular topic with young children and here is a compact overview from the first satelites to space travel today.
Mühlebach, a Swiss writer and illustrator, has filled each double spread with succinct facts, making it an ideal book to browse, or read from cover to cover if you want the whole picture. We learn about the work of the Soviet Union, the United States, the Moon landing, the Space Shuttle, daily life in space, asteroids, other planets, commercial space travel and finally about travel to Mars. It looks to the future by examining the new for-profit space race, international moon rover expeditions, and the upcoming Artemis missions, which plan to put humans on the moon again as early as 2026
Her writing is clear and friendly in tone, with the occasional fascinating fact that often grips and holds a child’s attention. Apparently, because water is a scarce resource on a space station, all liquids, including sweat and urine, are collected, purified and recycled as fresh water to be used for drinking and washing.
The book’s design emulates being in space so each page is deepest black with the text in white, with some white outline illustrations and larger ones in muted colours. I would have preferred some relief from all that black but it is soothing in a way, and the text certainly stands out. There is a useful glossary and a page that encourages the reader to Reflect, Observe and Imagine to continue their own mission.
This book would be a useful addition to the school library collection and a welcome gift for any child interested in space exploration.
Space exploration is always a popular topic with young children and here is a compact overview from the first satelites to space travel today.
