Customer Reviews

I Want to Be an Astronaut Board Book

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Typical Byron Barton cartoon-illustrations with his typical simple text. This time around he uses phrases "I want to" followed by various actions of astronauts who fly a space shuttle into space to do various astronaut tasks: working, eating, sleeping, etc. Simple text, adored by my son.

Barton's books are a staple in our family. There is just something about the illustrations that my children love. The words, although simple, still capture the and hold the attention of my four year old.

Female astronauts and people of various ethnicity's are represented.

Regarding the age recommendation that some reviewers are discussing, I want to add that since infancy, my son has loved Barton's books, whether they are board versions or regular paper versions. This book is loved by my less than one year-old son, and continues to enthrall my now 4 year-old son, who does have a fascination with space and astronauts. I would recommend this book for babies who don't rip regular paper books, and for 4 year-olds and maybe 5 year-olds who especially love space. If the older child is *not* especially interested in all things space they may be bored with the simple text.

This book was presented as appropriate for 4-8 year olds. Amazon needs to re-classify this book for 2-3 year olds. This was the first time I regretted my purchase.

As a former elementary school teacher, I'm very familiar with the work of Byron Barton and his appeal toward young children. When my own son became interested in space, I knew he'd love this book. The illustrations are detailed but large-perfect for the young eye and provide plenty to talk about to extend the book. This book even makes me want to be an astronaut!

I raised two boys on this book - it was their favorite when they were little. Now they are in college and I have a 16 month girl. This has already become her favorite. When we do the bed time routine she goes right for this book every night!

"I Want to Be an Astronaut" is another good entry in the series of young children's books by Byron Barton. This one opens, "I want to be an astronaut, a member of the crew." Such simple text is combined with Barton's distinctive illustrations. Bright, solid colors and heavy outlines combine to create figures that have an iconic feel; his pictures make me think of a sort of modern variation on Mayan hieroglyphics.

In the book we see the space shuttle taking off; astronauts working, eating, and sleeping in zero gravity; a cutaway view of the shuttle; etc. Nice touches include a view of earth from space and the portrayal of a multi-ethnic shuttle crew. Recommended for small kids.

I've read this book to my 22-month-old daughter so many times I can recite it in my sleep. She simply loves this book, and has for months on end. I love that the main astronaut might be a boy *or* a girl, that the "crew" is so diverse, and that after the crew flies into outer space fixing a satellite and building a factory in orbit, they so reassuringly come back to earth. For such a short book (with blessedly few words), this one is packed with big adventure that will stimulate but not frighten a small child.

I bought this one several years ago for my oldest son, now my little guy loves it, too. It seems a bit sad to me now in the wake of the Columbia tragedy ("I want to be an astronaut, a member of the crew" sounds somewhat different now), but that doesn't really affect little kids. If you or your kids are space nuts, this is a good one to begin with.

I checked this book out after my 3 yr old preschoolers had done a theme week on space at school. My son looked at it before I had read it and the first thing he told me is "there is no moon in this book". Every picture of "space" shows the earth in a larger than life format (doesn't the earth look tiny from outer space??), yet not once is there a hint of the moon or stars or anything resembling "space", especially in the eyes of a child.

Aside from that annoyance, this book still has the great illustrations of other Byron Barton books. My guys' favorite picture is the shuttle blasting off. They also enjoy the pictures of activities that take place inside the shuttle - eating, sleeping, working and most of all, floating upside down! Now THAT's what we expect in a book about astronauts!

As with all Byron Barton books, "Astronaut" is a preschool classic -- simple pictures, few words. I bought it for my 3-year-old grandson who wants to be an astronaut "because they get to wear helmets with their snowsuits." GrammaVona

I remember being exposed to this book as a child (possibly when I was 4 yrs. old). I remember the time I just spent looking at the illustrations, especially the picture of the layout of the space shuttle.

Even when I look back on this book, I still love it! I have to say the illustrations add so much to the story, still complement them, and yet speak their own story.

I recently found this book again back in my own personal children's story bookshelf. Just looking through it again brings back fond memories.

I would definately recommend this book to any parent who has a small child who is interested in space and astronauts!