BARRAUD, Ned Moonman Craig Potton Pub, 2014 unpaged NZ$19.99 pbk ISBN 9781927213278 SCIS 1691372
The sense of wonder is a powerful motivator that should never be lost. Embedded in the concept of wonder is the notion of awe, a sense of reverence, as well as the imaginative ‘what if?’ including when looking out to the heavens at night-time. The moon has been central in this evocation of wonder though perhaps science and the moon landings have created a more rational response to nature? The author here has cleverly reversed this and imagined ‘what if there was a moonman who looked in wonder at the earth?’ This is indeed the premise of this beautifully illustrated picture book that evokes a sense of wonder about the world we live in. Of course, there is a story to be told and the pleasure of the fantastic when the moonman (who sweeps away debris so that the moon is clean and shining) decides to leave his space and go on an adventure to explore the earth (not aware of course that not every environment is safe to explore). This book encourages children to ask ‘what if?’ type questions as well as reversal thinking. Recommended. A colouring-in sheet is available on the publisher’s website.
reviewed by John McKenzie