I Want to Be an Astronaut

by Byron Barton

Book Overview

From picture-book master Byron Barton, this is the perfect story for young readers who love outer space and want to know more about how NASA astronauts do their job.

Once in orbit, the astronauts get a taste of ready-to-eat food, experience zero gravity, go for space walks, and even fix a satellite. It's fun to fly aboard the shuttle...and then come back to earth.

Byron Barton's signature bright, graphic artwork and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0064432807
• ISBN13: 9780064432801
• Release Date: February 1992
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 9.8" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

We love I want to be an Astronaut

As a former elementary school teacher, I'm very familiar with the work of Byron Barton and his appeal toward young children. When my own son became interested in space, I knew he'd love this book. The illustrations are detailed but large-perfect for the young eye and provide plenty to talk about to extend the book. This book even makes me want to be an astronaut!

A Winner

I raised two boys on this book - it was their favorite when they were little. Now they are in college and I have a 16 month girl. This has already become her favorite. When we do the bed time routine she goes right for this book every night!

Into space with Byron Barton

"I Want to Be an Astronaut" is another good entry in the series of young children's books by Byron Barton. This one opens, "I want to be an astronaut, a member of the crew." Such simple text is combined with Barton's distinctive illustrations. Bright, solid colors and heavy outlines combine to create figures that have an iconic feel; his pictures make me think of a sort of modern variation on Mayan hieroglyphics.In the book we see the space shuttle taking off; astronauts working, eating, and sleeping in zero gravity; a cutaway view of the shuttle; etc. Nice touches include a view of earth from space and the portrayal of a multi-ethnic shuttle crew. Recommended for small kids.

A must have for astronaut wanna-be's

Typical Byron Barton cartoon-illustrations with his typical simple text. This time around he uses phrases "I want to?" followed by various actions of astronauts who fly a space shuttle into space to do various astronaut tasks: working, eating, sleeping, etc. Simple text, adored by my son. Barton's books are a staple in our family. There is just something about the illustrations that my children love. The words, although simple, still capture the and hold the attention of my four year old. Female astronauts and people of various ethnicity's are represented. Regarding the age recommendation that some reviewers are discussing, I want to add that since infancy, my son has loved Barton's books, whether they are board versions or regular paper versions. This book is loved by my less than one year-old son, and continues to enthrall my now 4 year-old son, who does have a fascination with space and astronauts. I would recommend this book for babies who don't rip regular paper books, and for 4 year-olds and maybe 5 year-olds who especially love space. If the older child is *not* especially interested in all things space they may be bored with the simple text.

Wonderful for toddlers

I've read this book to my 22-month-old daughter so many times I can recite it in my sleep. She simply loves this book, and has for months on end. I love that the main astronaut might be a boy *or* a girl, that the "crew" is so diverse, and that after the crew flies into outer space fixing a satellite and building a factory in orbit, they so reassuringly come back to earth. For such a short book (with blessedly few words), this one is packed with big adventure that will stimulate but not frighten a small child.