Rocket to the Moon!: Big Ideas That Changed the World, by Don Brown | Speed Interview

The Children’s Book Review | July 10, 2019

The Children’s Book Review: Which five words best describe Rocket to the Moon!: Big Ideas That Changed the World? 

Don Brown: Surprising, provocative, revealing, informative, and funny! 

Can you share one highlight from the book?

Hmmm, not sure if it’s a “highlight” but Armstrong and Aldrin left a bag of poo on the moon.

What has been the best reaction from a reader, so far?

It’s newly-released and I haven’t seen readers reactions, though a friend’s son said “wow” when he saw the book, which is pretty good.

Why do you think non-fiction graphic novels are an important part of a child’s home library?

Graphic novels engage the imagination in a unique way, and I’m all for effective ways to excite kids about history.

For your writing energy: sugar or salt, tea or coffee?

Dark chocolate…what, there’s something else?

Writing tools: computer, pen and paper, or all of the above?

A mix of both, but it seems the computer is slowly crowding out pen and paper.

What’s on your nightstand? Any books?

The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister by Lindsey Fitzharris.

Fall: or, Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson.

Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom by David Blight. (Listen to Blight’s lectures on the Civil War at Yale Online. They’re amazing…and free!) 

Can you tell us something that even your most loyal fans may not know about you?

That my interest in pizza might be out of control.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Keep your eyes peeled for my next Big Ideas book about…computers!

—

Rocket to the Moon!: Big Ideas That Changed the World

Written and Illustrated by Don Brown

Publisher’s Synopsis: On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong took “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” when the Apollo 11 landed on the moon. But it wasn’t just one man who got us to the moon. Rocket to the Moon!explores the people and technology that made the moon landing possible. Instead of examining one person’s life, it focuses on the moon landing itself, showing the events leading up to it and how it changed the world. The book takes readers through the history of rocket building: from ancient Chinese rockets, to “bombs bursting in air” during the War of 1812, to Russia’s Sputnik program, to the moon landing. Beautifully illustrated and well-researched, this book is the perfect resource for curious readers and tomorrow’s scientists. It includes a timeline of space travel, a bibliography, and an index.

Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Harry N. Abrams | March 5, 2019 | ISBN-13: 978-1419734045

Buy the Book

About the Author-Illustrator

Don Brown is the award-winning author and illustrator of many picture-book biographies. His books have been given a Sibert Medal and an Orbis Pictus Award, among other awards and notice. He lives in Merrick, New York.

This speed interview with Don Brown, author-illustrator of Rocket to the Moon!: Big Ideas That Changed the World, was conducted by Bianca Schulze. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Astronaut Books, Books About The Moon, Graphic Novels, and Non-Fiction. Be sure to follow along with out Speed Interview series, too.