Today’s post is from Emerson Heflin of Publishers Spotlight’s marketing team.
This Saturday, the world will celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the most incredible feats known to history. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin planted the American flag on lunar soil in 1969, but they could not have achieved their infamous space walk without the help of one woman and her team of seamstresses. This summer, Maverick Publishing presents The Spacesuit: How a Seamstress Helped Put Man on the Moon, the story of Ellie Foraker and her creation of the A7L spacesuit.
Born in 1930, Eleanor “Ellie” Foraker learned and loved to sew from an early age. One day at her job at ILC Dover, she was approached by an engineer who challenged her and her team to make a spacesuit that could protect astronauts from the unknown elements of outer space while also being comfortable and soft. Author Alison Donald and illustrator Ariel Landy recount this magnificent tale of hard work, determination, and tenacity with fun facts and vibrant illustrations throughout.
In order to celebrate The Spacesuit: How a Seamstress Helped Put Man on the Moon and the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing, we’re sharing some of our favorite moon and outer space books!
The Far Side of the Moon: The Story of Apollo 11’s Third Man is a 2017 Junior Library 
Guild Selection from Tilbury House Publishers. Author Alex Irvine and illustrator Ben Bishop present a grahpic retelling of the Apollo 11’s moon landing mission following astronaut Michael Collins, commander of the lunar orbiter, to the far side of the moon.
Then, discover the science, myths, facts, and fiction of The Moon from Tiger Tales Books’ 360 Degrees imprint. Author Hannah Pang explores many of the artists, astronomers, mathematicians, and poets who’ve gazed up at the moon for inspiration, plus how the Earth’s closest neighbor affects our everyday lives and the world around us.
For younger readers, Flowerpot Press’ board book Space Squad, from the popular “Finn’s Fun Trucks” series, is perfect for learning 
what astronauts ride in outer space. From spaceplanes and satellites, to carrier rockets, little space explorers are sure to enjoy learning what each machine does!
In 1961, when President John F. Kennedy announced that the United States would try to land a man
on the moon, this barely imaginable feat did not just happen overnight. From award-winning author Suzanne Slade and illustrator Thomas Gonzales comes a powerful free verse, illustrated title that tells the true story of the American effort to land the first man on the moon. Peachtree Publishing Company’s middle-grade nonfiction title Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon, tells the powerful story of the successes, failures, triumphs, tragedies, and lessons learned from Apollos 1 through 10 that eventually led to the first moon landing.
Lonely Planet Kids offers The Daredevil’s Guide to Outer Space for adventurous astronauts in training. Join two intergalactic explorers as they travel across 
the Solar System and beyond. Learn about the surface temperature of the moon, the thickness of its crust, and even find out how to drive a moon buggy!
This fall, coming from Barefoot Books is Barefoot Books Solar System, a galactic guide to outer space through interactive flaps, engrossing illustrations, and even a pull-out map! This title for 
readers aged 8-12 creates a fascinating introduction to all eight planets and all the moons that surround them. If you think Earth’s one moon is cool, check out one of Jupiter’s 79!
Finally, become an astronaut just like Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins with Annie in Astronaut Annie from Tilbury House Publishers. Suzanne Slade returns with a delightful story to encourage young reads to pursue their dreams and reach for the stars. When career day at school is approaching, Mom and Dad have ideas of what Annie will do, but none can expect what she finally reveals as her out-of-this-world dream.
Celebrate the Moon Landing, the expertise of NASA’s seamstresses, the astronauts who waited while their colleagues made the famous landing, our solar system, and the imaginations of people everywhere who make new discoveries possible!