Man on the Moon (a day in the life of Bob) [Hardcover]

Simon Bartram (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Bob has a very important job on the Moon. But who’s that in the
background making faces at him? Kids will laugh along at this strikingly illustrated tongue-in-cheek tale.

6:00 a.m. Wake up. Have two eggs for breakfast.
8:00 a.m. Arrive at launchpad. Change into special man-on-the-moon suit.
8:45 a.m. Blast off.
8:58 a.m. Arrive on Moon.
9:00 a.m. Start work.

This is how Bob, the Man on the Moon, begins his day. It’s Bob’s job to
entertain the tourists (handstands and high moon jumps are a hit), conduct Moon seminars (how long does it take to walk around the Moon on stilts?), sell souvenirs (pens, postcards - the usual), and keep the Moon clean and neat. Some people say that aliens are the ones who leave all the trash, but Bob tells them aliens don’t exist, and he would know . . . wouldn’t he?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-It's a tough gig, being custodian of the Moon, but every morning, reliable Bob rises at six, has breakfast, and then boards his rocket for the daily commute. His duties include not only sweeping the lunar surface clear of the previous day's litter, but also offering entertainment to arriving bevies of interplanetary tourists, and even running the gift shop. In Bartram's elaborately detailed, broadly comic illustrations, children can follow this lantern-jawed, space-suit-clad worker as he energetically runs his vacuum cleaner, provides photo ops and souvenirs for crowds of helmeted visitors, then switches on the Moon's night-light before heading wearily back to Earth. He never notices the small green aliens that tag gleefully along throughout the day. Slip this into a storytime, or a classroom unit on occupations, for a quick but funny change of pace.
John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Simon Bartram has illustrated four children’s books, including PUMPKIN MOON, about which PUBLISHERS WEEKLY said, "Bartram reinvents David Weisner’s TUESDAY with grimacing jack-o-lanterns and a hellfire orange gleam." Of MAN ON THE MOON!, Simon Bartram says, "I wrote the book after I read reports in the newspaper that soon civilians would be taking trips to the moon. If so, then someone would have to keep the moon tidy and presentable - hence, Bob. Another relevant point of inspiration was that I have always suspected that some of my closest friends are not from this planet!"

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (July 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763618977
• ISBN-13: 978-0763618971
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,309,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Man Who Cleans The Moon, August 19, 2008

By 

prisrob "pris," (New England USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Man on the Moon (a day in the life of Bob) (Hardcover)

Bob, has the most exciting job of anyone I know. He gets up every morning, eats his breakfast and gets into his spaceship for his daily trip to the moon. He has to be there early because his job is to clean the moon and make it ready for the daily influx of visitors from Earth. In between cleaning and welcoming the visitors he sells souvenirs, t-shirts and flags. This is a difficult job but Bob has it down pat. There is some mention of aliens, but we all know aliens don't exist, don't we? There seems to be little green aliens in many of the beautiful pictures, but they are not mentioned and left to our imagination, as they are in real life. At the end of the day, Bob cleans up what he can, climbs into his spaceship and zooms back to earth. He eats his dinner and goes to bed to get ready for a new day of excitement on the moon.

My grandson. Oliver is three and he enjoys this book immensely. His mommy and daddy like to read it to him. It is a book for all ages it appears. It tells a simple story in terms all can enjoy. Much of Bob's life is displayed in the beautiful illustrations throughout the book. However, much of the story of Bob's life is left up to our imagination. Pssst--Have you seen any aliens?

Highly Recommended. prisrob 8-19-08

Dougal's Deep-Sea Diary

Bob's Alien Spotter Guide

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take me to the Moon Bob!, October 17, 2002

By 

teamsmith "cooliet" (dallas, tx USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Man on the Moon (a day in the life of Bob) (Hardcover)

My children (2 1/2 and 4) insist that I read this book EVERY night before bed time. It's so fabulous. The illustrations are wonderful allowing both boys to find something new to point out each time or find their favorite alien. I enjoy the well written story that appeals to both the adults and children alike. I haven't tired reading it yet. This is a favorite book in our house and has already been purchased for birthday presents for two of the boys' friends. We love Bob!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bob Rules!, October 10, 2006

By 

Jacquelyn Geist - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Man on the Moon (a day in the life of Bob) (Hardcover)

This is my 2-3/4-year-old son's favorite book. The whole family enjoys this story, particularly the beautiful illustrations. My son and daughter (6) think the aliens are so silly. I think it's just really fun.