Look to the Stars [Hardcover]

Buzz Aldrin (Author), Wendell Minor (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: May 14, 2009 | Age Range: 6 - 8 years

Buzz Aldrin takes readers on a journey through the history of space exploration.

As one of a handful of astronauts to have walked on the moon, Buzz Aldrin has a unique perspective of space. And he serves as an amazing guide as he introduces us to the pioneers of space. From Copernicus to the Wright brothers, from the Apollo program to dreams of future travel, he reminds us that mankind has always looked to the stars.

Buzz?s informative, kid-friendly text is paired with beautifully detailed illustrations by renowned illustrator Wendell Minor, and offers the perfect introduction to everything space related, including the development of the first rockets, America?s space race with Russia, details of all the Apollo missions, and the space station.

Aldrin and Minor collaborated on the bestselling Reaching for the Moon and now they reach beyond that book to give young readers a concise look at the whole history of space exploration. Each spread provides a wonderful jumping-off point for young readers, and will no doubt inspire them to look to the stars themselves.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Aldrin, of Apollo 11 fame, leads a journey through centuries of air and space aviation and action, from Isaac Newton’s theories on gravity to the future of Martian colonies and space tours. The text packs in a lot of information, including praise of lesser-known heroes like rocket designer Robert Goddard and fighter pilot Chuck Yeager. Aldrin’s experience gives authority to that which he chooses to spotlight, but he also takes care to personalize each entry. For instance, when speaking of the Wright brothers, he notes that he and Neil Armstrong took a piece of fabric from the Wright Flyer 1 with them to the moon, writing, “I think Orville and Wilbur would have been pleased—and very proud.” The art has a soft touch that may not have enough vigor for some, though it is nicely varied, switching from double-page spreads and inserts to side-by-side comparisons of craft. Historical quotes run across the bottom of each page, and there are two fantastic time lines that fill in details of dates, craft, crew, and much more. Grades 1-3. --Daniel Kraus

Review

It distinguishes...from other titles that cover similar territory and should leave readers with a clearer sense of how the past connects with the future. --School Library Journal

...Aldrin's first-person account is peppered with comments establishing his connections to so many people and events...a personal touch that may indeed inspire readers to become part of the story someday. ---Horn Book

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 6 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 14, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399247211
• ISBN-13: 978-0399247217
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #536,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Children's Books > Transportation > Aviation

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Stargazers, young and old alike, will love this dazzling tour through history on up to the Apollo Missions and beyond! May 30, 2009

By D. Fowler TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Buzz Aldrin grew up in a home surrounded by photographs and memorabilia from some of the most famous pilots in the world. This early environment along with his "dad's love of flying became [his] inspiration to look to the stars." When he was young, he wondered about the early stargazers and learned about such people as Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler and Isaac Newton. In this book, after this brief glance into the past, Aldrin jumps into the lives of the Wright brothers and Charles Lindbergh. Did you know that Neil Armstrong and Buzz actually took pieces of fabric from the Wright brother's plane to the moon?

As you read, you will get a glimpse into the lives of Edwin Hubble, Robert Goddard, Charles Lindbergh, Wernher von Braun, Captain Chuck Yeager, Neil Armstrong and many other astronauts. The first satellite, the Sputnik, was the impetus for the race to space and prompted President Kennedy to asking the country to "commit itself to achieving the goal" of landing on the moon. Little did Buzz know that he would be one of the fortunate few to help attain that goal. With Project Apollo the dream would be realized. This book also discusses space probes and speculates about future manned missions. Perhaps even you will be able to "take a space `tour bus' or visit an Earth-orbiting `hotel!'"

This is a much more technical and detailed look at space travel and its history than its counterpart for younger children, "Moonshot." The art work is dazzling and adds a lot to the text. There is an excellent two page spread of information on the Apollo Missions 7 to 17, including diagrams of the Saturn V rocket and the Apollo spacecraft. There is an awesome time line in the back of the book, selected sources and seventeen recommended websites. Young stargazers will want to add this collection . . . if they can get it out of the hands of the grownups!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars extreme success story September 13, 2009

By Michael D. Fahey

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fantastic, frank, candid!

Buzz Aldrin demonstrates how different people can be, and how competence in many fields does not guarantee competence in all areas of life. He had his human struggles while being extemely competent technically and physically.

He'd reached amazing milestones while still in his 30s (moon walker) and then had trouble making sense of the rest of his life. The story has a happy ending though (it's not over yet) and is worth your time for many reasons.

I heard Buzz speak at a NASA sponsored event (2007 Regolith Excavation Challenge). He is 80 going on 20.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Super cool February 9, 2013

By Rose M

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great book. I am using it to teach a thematic unit about astronauts to my Kindergarten class. Aldrin is one of my favorite astronauts, and now I get to teach my students about him, too.