A searchable database of books recommended by the CCBC.
(More information on CCBC book recommendations)
Field Trip to the Moon
The story begins with the cover of this marvelous wordless picture book as children file onto a rocket painted familiar school bus yellow and black. One of them dawdles, sketchbook and crayons in hand. While most of the class later follows an eager, energetic teacher/chaperone across crevasses and craters, this child finds a quiet place to draw the blue-and-white earth as seen from the gray-scape of the moon. Falling asleep, the child awakens to discover they’ve been left behind. With only a sketchbook for solace, the child draws, unaware of the single eye, and then series of eyes attached to moon-colored bodies, watching. Who can resist a box of bright crayons? Not these creatures, which go from fearful to frolicsome when the child shares them, retreating into hiding only when the school bus spaceship returns with the frantic teacher/ chaperone. A tight-hugged reunion and hilarious misunderstanding follow. Acrylic illustrations masterfully convey emotions through body language—faces are never seen under space helmets—in a story that playfully, poignantly, and profoundly affirms art’s essential role in expression and connection, whatever the future holds. ©2020 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by John Hare
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 5-9
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Art and Artists
Extraterrestrials
Humor
School
Space/Astronomy
Wordless Books
Publishers:
Holiday House, Margaret Ferguson Books
Publish Year: 2019
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9780823442539
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Hare