If You Decide to Go to the Moon

Faith McNulty's 'If You Decide to Go to the Moon' is a captivating chapter book that uses a unique second-person narrative to immerse children aged 4-11 in an imaginary voyage to the moon. It thoughtfully covers the practicalities of space travel, like packing and liftoff, alongside the awe-inspiring experience of seeing Earth from afar and landing on the Sea of Tranquility. The book gently guides the reader through the entire adventure, emphasizing not just the excitement of going but also the importance of returning home. It's an excellent resource for sparking curiosity about space, encouraging imaginative play, and providing a comforting, structured narrative about a grand adventure.

"If you decide to go to the moon," writes Faith McNulty, "read this book first. It will tell you how to get there and what to do after you land. The most important part tells you how to get home." Written in the second person, the text allows the reader to participate in every aspect of the journey, from packing ("don't forget your diary and plenty of food") to liftoff (at first you'll feel heavy; don't worry") to traveling through space (where "the moon glows like a pearl in the black, black sky"). The reader lands at the Sea of Tranquility, the site of the first lunar landing.