Man on the Moon: a day in the life of Bob

This colourful story quickly became an absolute favourite in our house! Requested over and over again by my three and six-year-old daughters. The superb illustrations giving them both so much to see and find. Bob has the best job! Bob is the man on the moon, keeping the moon in ship shape and entertaining its daily visitors from earth. The story follows Bob's typical day as though it is an everyday average job, told in a short and sharp way that is easily accessible to children. The humour throughout is great keeping both adults and children entertained. Bob doesn't think aliens exist and surely he would know, but readers will soon decide he is mistaken, giving children focus throughout the story to prove Bob wrong. This story is jam packed with potential to get high quality work out of children, motivated and engaged in both Maths and Literacy easily spanning over at least half a term. Lots of links to be made with time in maths, children could create a timetable for a day in the life of Bob recording what he does throughout the day and at what times, solving time word problems. Bob gives a talk to the tourists, children could plan and write a presentation of their own to perform including their own research/facts about the moon in the form of a non-chronological report. I would also use this book to look at recount writing, writing in role as Bob recalling his day, as the story is well structured making it easy for the children to sequence parts of his day. It would be great to link in some DT work, children could design and make their own souvenirs from the moon using maybe junk modelling/clay etc. A definite favourite in class and at home! Picture book / Ages 4-8 years / Reviewed by Nikki Stiles, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 5+

'Everyone knows there aren't any aliens.' Man on the Moon: A Day in the Life of Bob (newly re-issued by Templar) is a truly wonderful piece of art and story alike. Simon Bartram (author and illustrator) fully engages an audience of any age, you will never tire of reading this story. The illustrations are beautiful and unlike any children's story I have come across before; detailed and realistic, they are wonderful discussion points with your children or school class. The story tells the narrative of Bob and his daily life. Bob's job is to maintain the moon and he goes about it dutifully and enthusiastically. As the story progresses, the humorous narrative tells the reader that of course there are no aliens and that Bob is a Moon expert, but the illustrations clearly show aliens on each page - stealing his cake, hiding in a crater, in the bath tub. My son whole heartedly loves proving Bob wrong and pointing out all the illustrations on each page, laughing in delight when he sees a 'cheeky alien' hiding from Bob. As a picture book, all parents will enjoy reading this story during the daytime or bedtime, the narrative is engaging and the children are fully absorbed in the images. Although at first it doesn't jump out as a 'typical' children's story as the illustrations are of an older style, this is what makes it unique and also what draws the children to it. Bob is a wonderful character and the story itself is simplistic enough to engage any child from three years upwards. I can imagine this story would be wonderful to teach in a Primary setting as there are many directions you could take with the concept of the 'man on the moon' - Space topics, looking at difference and developing visual literacy, among them. Personally, I loved the adult humour - the fact it only takes Bob 15 minutes to get to work on the Moon - and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this to my children; it has become a firm favourite at bedtime. It might not jump out to you on the shelf, but once you have picked it up, Bartram will not disappoint you or your children. Picture book / Ages 3-7 years / Reviewed by Joanna Hewish, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 3+