Hardback

Moon Man

$29.95

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In this beautifully illustrated and delightfully quirky tale by one of the world's best-loved and acclaimed storytellers, the Man in the Moon looks down on the happy, dancing people on Earth every night, wishing he could join them. He hitches a ride on a passing comet and crash-lands on Earth, where he quickly finds himself thrown into jail by people who take him for an invader, rather than a friendly visitor. The Moon Man, however, has a most unusual - but perfectly logical - means of escape, and sets out to make his way back home.

With gentle satire, Ungerer pokes fun at self-important adults who are afraid of anything or anyone unfamiliar and reminds us that there is indeed no place like home. On its first publication in the US in 1967, at the height of the Space Race, Moon Man won the Book Week prize for books for children aged 4-8, and Maurice Sendak described it in Book Week as 'Easily one of the best picture books in recent years'. Since then, it has been translated into 12 languages.

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MORE INFO

Format

Hardback

Publisher

Phaidon Press Ltd

Country

United Kingdom

Date

27 February 2009

Pages

ISBN

9780714855981

Format

Hardback

Publisher

Phaidon Press Ltd

Country

United Kingdom

Date

27 February 2009

Pages

ISBN

9780714855981

Book Review

Moon Man
by Tomi Ungerer

by Kim Gruschow, May 2025

Curious Moon Man catches a shooting star as it is heading to earth one day. On Earth, Moon Man is met with suspicion and hostility from the government and thrown in jail. Luckily, Moon Man’s size changes with the phases of the moon, so he can escape through the cell bars during a thin phase. Moon Man finally enjoys some time on Earth, appreciating nature, then dancing at a wonderful costume party. Sadly, a killjoy calls the cops and Moon Man is back on the run, eventually finding a way to return to his moon home. Despite offering moments of beauty and solidarity, Earth did not prove to be an especially welcoming place.

Moon Man was published in 1966, yet remains a strikingly relevant reflection on our treatment of outsiders. French artist Tomi Ungerer is widely regarded as one of the greatest picture book creators of all time. In addition to books, Ungerer was known for comics, posters and design work, all evident in the thick lines and bold colours of his illustrations. He never thought of his picture books as specifically for children, and the funny, subversive, gently anti-authoritarian Moon Man remains a glorious reading experience for all ages.