Man on the Moon

Simon Bartram studied Graphic Design, specialising in illustration, at Birmingham Polytechnic. He has gone on to write and illustrate a number of picture books, including the bestselling Blue Peter Award-winner The Man on the Moon: A Day in the Life of Bob. He has also written a popular series of illustrated fiction books about the adventures of Bob and his dog Barry. Simon Bartram studied Graphic Design, specialising in illustration, at Birmingham Polytechnic. He has gone on to write and illustrate a number of picture books, including the bestselling Blue Peter Award-winner The Man on the Moon: A Day in the Life of Bob. He has also written a popular series of illustrated fiction books about the adventures of Bob and his dog Barry.

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