The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon: The True Story of Alan Bean

Robbins introduces Alan Bean, the Apollo 12 astronaut who painted his experience of walking on the moon. Working in an approachable, cartoony art style, Rubin depicts Bean as a boy dreaming of learning to fly, then as a navy pilot and budding painter: “His flowers didn’t look exactly real, but he didn’t want them to. They were brighter and bolder than real ones.” Bean’s powerful experience of walking on the moon would inspire many of the expressionistic paintings he later created: “how stunning outer space looked through his eyes.” Robbins provides an intriguing look into how some math- and science-based experiences can best be communicated with art. Detailed back matter features photos, images of Bean’s painting, and a timeline of the Space Race. Ages 4–8. [em](May) [/em]