TITLE: If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon
By Joyce Lapin, illustrated by Simona Ceccarelli (Sterling Children's Books, April) 40 pages, $16.95
STORY: A moon birthday would be out of this world in little ways that, unlike unlimited leaping, don't leap immediately to mind. For instance, forget helium balloons. They would not float.
Unlike the bummer moon party in Kate Hosford's Big Birthday (Carolrhoda Books, 2012), the gathering described by this vibrantly illustrated picture book is as joyous as it is educational.
Come July 20, we will have experienced 50 years worth of explainers since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin moon-walked, and yet some of this information is amazing. Who knew there were 12 pairs of space boots sitting up there? And maybe a dirty drawing? Really?
Lapin's practicality brings focus to facts in a uniquely accessible way. No candles for your cake, but with three days of somersaults and floating to get there, gorgeous scenery and party games like one-finger pushups, permanent dust angels, hitting home runs, super-challenging freeze tag — and with a pinata and squeeze cake back on the ship — who wouldn't want a birthday that lasted 30 days?
Read to Me is a weekly review of short books.
Style on 04/22/2019