(Max viaja a la luna – Spanish)
by Jeffrey Bennett, illustrated by Alan Okamoto
Book 1 of the Max Science Adventure Series
As read from the International Space Station for Story Time From Space!
- The first children’s book selected to be read aloud in space.
- Now a major planetarium show at theaters around the world.
- New to this edition: New Preface, 15 pages with new or revised Big Kid boxes, revised activity, new final information page.
Are you (or your kids) excited about NASA’s Artemis Program for return to the Moon? There’s no better way to get prepared than with this first book in the Max Science Adventure Series. In this fictional story, Max (the dog) and a young girl named Tori take the first trip to the Moon since the Apollo era. Along the way, the story sets the stage for the more sophisticated science of the “Big Kid Box” sidebars, which cover topics including “Phases of the Moon,” “Wings in Space?,” and “Frisbees and Curve Balls on the Moon” — all thoughtfully explained so that grownups and children can learn together about science. Toward the end, Max and Tori’s trip proves so inspiring to people back on Earth that all the nations of the world come together to build a great Moon colony from which “the beautiful views of Earth from the Moon made everyone realize that we all share a small and precious planet.”
Also available in Spanish (Max viaja a la luna) and Japanese (e-book only).
SELECTION — Story Time From Space, launched to International Space Station in 2014
WINNER — American Institute of Physics Science Communication Award 2013 (press release)
INTERNATIONAL READING ASSOCIATION, Children’s Choices List 2013
WINNER — Colorado Book Award, Best Children’s Book
WINNER — Young Voices Foundation Silver Award, Children’s Picture Book
WINNER — Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award, Educational Book
WINNER — Parents’ Choice Recommended Award
National Science Teachers Association Recommends List, Grades K-8
NASA Outstanding Educational Product
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In Support of Equal Justice, Black Lives Matter, and Education for All
Big Kid Science devotes 100% of revenue (yes, revenue, not just profits) to a combination of nonprofit donations and free public outreach.*
*Recipient organizations include the National Urban League and Story Time From Space, and our outreach projects include the free Totality app, our free digital curriculum for Middle/High School Earth and Space Science, and free visits to schools and communities by author Jeffrey Bennett.
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Resources for Max Goes to the Moon
Read the Book Max Goes to the Moon
Watch the Max Goes to the Moon Planetarium Show
Watch astronaut Alvin Drew read Max Goes to the Moon during the Space Shuttle Discovery’s final mission!
Try the Activity Set Developed for PS 117 in New York City
Watch Dr. Bennett’s school presentation of Max Goes to the Moon.
Watch Apollo 15 Astronaut Dave Scott do Tori’s demonstration from p. 20.
Answer to Challenge Question (p. 31)
“Secrets of the paintings” and other page-by-page notes
About the Author and Illustrator
Astronaut Mike Hopkins reading Max Goes to the Moon aboard the International Space Station, for the Story Time From Space program.
Reviews
“Simply the coolest kids’ book to come along in years… Absolutely irresistible.”
— Clay Evans, Book Critic, Boulder Daily Camera
“A book that can be enjoyed by children and adults and is scientifically accurate besides is a rare treasure indeed.”
— Sidney Wolff, Astronomy Education Review
“Max Goes to the Moon introduces elementary students to the wonders of space and space travel… a perfect springboard for many classroom discussions, experiments, and lessons.”
— Robin Booth, in Science and Children
“Children and adults will fall in love with Max and learn so much… a “must have” for every classroom teacher and for any child curious about space.”
— Kristen Brummel, Hawaii Teacher of the Year
Big Kid Boxes
The story and art alone would make Max Goes to the Moon a treasure for children, but the education is only beginning. Everything that happens in the story has real science content behind the scenes science. The science content is simply and clearly explained in Big Kid Boxes that appear along the sides of the pages making Max Goes to the Moon a great family learning experience. Among other exciting topics you’ll learn:
- Why we sometimes see the Moon in the daytime
- Why spaceships don’t need wings
- Why it’s useful to put telescopes in space
- How a frisbee would fly on the Moon
Click here for a complete list of the Big Kid Boxes and their ties to the story.