Moon Man - by Tomi Ungerer (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

'The bright, galloping illustrations are as effective as any Tomi Ungerer has done. This has some of the sting of Dr Strangelove - but tenderized, the contemporary charisma of Where the Wild Things Are: it's great! Exceptionally highly recommended' - Kirkus Reviews

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.

Ages 4-8

Review Quotes

'Maurice Sendak, a friend of Ungerer's, thought him the most original children's book writer of his time.' - Sunday Telegraph

'So strong and graphically interesting ... It's art - illustration at the highest level.' - The Times

'[A] style marked by great originality of illustrative technique, and a use of language that refused to patronise his young readers.' - Dazed & Confused

'Watch the children, the subversive is back.' - New York Times

'His ability to capture the absurd [...] and inject [...] subtle humour make this book a timeless classic.' - Outside In

'The new editions look fresh and inviting, with creamy backdrop pages, crisp colors, and almost tangible textures.' - School Library Journal

'Ungerer's artwork is distinguished by bright colors and his own distinctive style, and his stories are a beguiling mix of humour, wisdom and worthwhile messages.' - Buffalo News

'A strange and hilarious fairy-tale adventure that will make nighttime kids guffaw out loud.' - UrbanFamily

'[A] sweet, subversive, and lyrical tale.' - Brain Pickings

'Beautiful and thoughtful ... Can help children from all backgrounds understand what it means to seek refuge ... The poor reception and mistreatment of the gentle protagonist in Tomi Ungerer's Moon Man when he arrives on earth serves as a cautionary tale. We learn among other things that society is only as humane and civilised as the degree to which it extends such principles to its most vulnerable members.' - EAL (English as an Additional Language)

About the Author

Tomi Ungerer (1931-2019) is a legend in the world of children's books. Born in Strasbourg in 1931, Tomi landed in New York in 1956 with $60 in his pocket and with a suitcase full of drawings. Overnight he became a star as a caricaturist, illustrator, and children's book author. He published more than 140 books for children and for adults in his prolific life. Tomi is a winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest achievable international award for children's literature, and was named Ambassador for Childhood and Education by the Council of Europe in 2003. The Musée Tomi Ungerer, a museum devoted exclusively to his work, opened in 2007 in Strasbourg, France. Tomi passed away in 2019 but up until his death he continued to create new art every day, and write stories in three languages - English, French, and German!