Bok's Giant Leap: One Moon Rock's Journey Through Time and Space

 
4.2 (2)
 
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Bok's Giant Leap: One Moon Rock's Journey Through Time and Space
Co-Authors / Illustrators
Age Range
4+
Release Date
February 01, 2022
ISBN
978-0593378861
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First man on the moon Neil Armstrong's only children's book is a unique exploration of how the Earth and the Moon came to be.

The entire epic history of the Earth and the Moon is recounted through the observations of one special moon rock named Bok. Geologists say that rocks remember, and Bok certainly does. It recounts how its life began on Earth, until a collision with an asteroid catapults it into orbit during the creation of the Moon.

From the Moon's surface, Bok watches the developing planet change from afar--until a strange creature scoops him up and brings him back to Earth.

When NASA honored Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong and gave him a piece of moon rock from that mission, Armstrong playfully named the rock Bok in his acceptance speech. Award-winning illustrator Grahame Baker-Smith has created a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind picture book based on that speech, combining fascinating science and history with the grandest human adventure of all.

Editor reviews

2 reviews
Educational & Engaging
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
N/A
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
4.0
What better way to learn about the moon and Earth than through the eyes of a moon rock that Neil Armstrong brought back to Earth after his historic trip to the moon?

A moon rock named Bok formed billions of years ago and watched over the Earth where he witnessed so many wonders. Bok was there when amphibians learned to live above water. Bok saw the dinosaurs and the ice age. In 1969 when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon he took a piece of it with him back to Earth. Bok goes on a journey with Neil in a space shuttle while people on Earth were waiting for them to safely land. Many years later Neil is given part of the rock that he brought to Earth and he named it Bok.

Neil does a great job explaining the formation of the moon and Earth’s evolution from the perspective of Bok the rock though younger readers may find this information more challenging to understand. Armstrong’s use of the moon rock to present informative text is clever and engaging.

As a bonus, there are several pages at the end of the story that talks about the moon and Earth and Neil’s “small step” that space lovers will gobble up. Once you read this book you will be inspired to road trip it to Cincinnati, Ohio where you can see Bok on display.
Good Points
Armstrong’s use of the moon rock to present informative text is clever and engaging.
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Bok and Neil Armstrong
Overall rating
 
4.5
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
N/A
Writing Style
 
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
‘Bok’s Giant Leap’ by Neil Armstrong, illustrated by Grahame Baker Smith, shares how it’s not just humans who have memories, but rocks as well. Named by Neil Armstrong himself, Bok is a rock that came from the moon, and has witnessed volcanic eruptions, the forming of oceans, along with life—and death—on Earth. The story tells the history of the moon, including how it was formed. There are beautiful images that showcase the intensity of the moon and Earth over millions and billions of years. From the time of dinosaurs to the Ice Age and so much more, Bok was there, and though he didn’t expect to one day be picked up and taken from the moon—his home—Bok engaged with his memories, recollecting his past, and how he had once been part of Earth billions of years ago when another smaller planet smashed into Earth.

The personification throughout the story brings so much life to the tale, and the history of life in outer space will fascinate any young reader who is at least slightly curious about just what’s out there in the universe. It also helps to have descriptions in the back of the book about the moon, Earth, and Neil Armstrong’s journey into space and all it entailed, along with how Neil and Bok reconnected in 2006 when NASA announced Neil as an Ambassador of Exploration and presented him with the rock he named Bok.
Good Points
The personification throughout the story brings so much life to the tale, and the history of life in outer space will fascinate any young reader who is at least slightly curious about just what’s out there in the universe. It also helps to have descriptions in the back of the book about the moon, Earth, and Neil Armstrong’s journey into space and all it entailed, along with how Neil and Bok reconnected in 2006 when NASA announced Neil as an Ambassador of Exploration and presented him with the rock he named Bok.
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