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The Astronaut Instruction Manual
"The Astronaut Instruction Manual is a fantastic and vibrant preparatory guide for today’s youth — whether their futures are off in space or right here…on Earth.” — Lori Garver, Former NASA Deputy Administrator
Endorsed by authors, teachers, and congressman alike, Mike Mongo's Astronaut Instruction Manual excites a new generation of space explorers. The book, designed for children between the ages of 7 and 13, is a functioning, interactive instruction manual. Using mad-lib-style fill-in-the-blanks, Mongo encourages his readers to articulate and illustrate their own vision of next-generation space travel. The Astronaut Instruction Manual captures a new era of enthusiasm for space exploration, driven in part by new space celebrities (Commander Chris Hadfield, Elon Musk), and in part by a shift in popular interest in space (SpaceX rockets, The Mars Colonial Transporter, Kerbal).
Endorsed by authors, teachers, and congressman alike, Mike Mongo's Astronaut Instruction Manual excites a new generation of space explorers. The book, designed for children between the ages of 7 and 13, is a functioning, interactive instruction manual. Using mad-lib-style fill-in-the-blanks, Mongo encourages his readers to articulate and illustrate their own vision of next-generation space travel. The Astronaut Instruction Manual captures a new era of enthusiasm for space exploration, driven in part by new space celebrities (Commander Chris Hadfield, Elon Musk), and in part by a shift in popular interest in space (SpaceX rockets, The Mars Colonial Transporter, Kerbal).
64 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
About the author
Mike Mongo
3 books14 followersMike Mongo is the best-selling author of The Astronaut Instruction Manual and founder of Mike Mongo’s Astronaut Job Fair. He is a champion of Space STEAM careers to students at schools, camps, universities, and special events in the US and abroad. As a host, speaker, and educator, Mr Mongo zestfully encourages STEAM-directed students to pursue careers in astronautics and Space-related industry.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 31, 2015
'The Astronaut Instruction Manual' by Mike Mongo won't prepare you to go into space next year, but for the younger audience it's intended for, it might prepare them to go into space in the years to come.
The book is divided into sections and has fill in the blanks. The first thing you'll learn is the book's term for a space explorer is 'Humannaire' and if you are up to the task, you will need to find some people who will support you in your dream of becoming a 'humannaire' in space. Then you'll learn to breathe and pay attention. Along the way, you'll get introduced to big ideas to think about and find lots of things to Google.
The book is mainly about big ideas. It won't tell your kids to focus on math or science or any kind of STEM things, but it kind of subtly does. The big concept thinking is just what the next generation of explorers need to fire their imaginations and get them thinking about solving the problems we might encounter on long space voyages. How will we go the distance? What will we encounter? How will we survive? All are covered briefly, but with additional research if the 'humannaire' is interested. I think it's a great little workbook to explore an interest for a young reader interested in space exploration.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Inkshares and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
The book is divided into sections and has fill in the blanks. The first thing you'll learn is the book's term for a space explorer is 'Humannaire' and if you are up to the task, you will need to find some people who will support you in your dream of becoming a 'humannaire' in space. Then you'll learn to breathe and pay attention. Along the way, you'll get introduced to big ideas to think about and find lots of things to Google.
The book is mainly about big ideas. It won't tell your kids to focus on math or science or any kind of STEM things, but it kind of subtly does. The big concept thinking is just what the next generation of explorers need to fire their imaginations and get them thinking about solving the problems we might encounter on long space voyages. How will we go the distance? What will we encounter? How will we survive? All are covered briefly, but with additional research if the 'humannaire' is interested. I think it's a great little workbook to explore an interest for a young reader interested in space exploration.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Inkshares and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
January 7, 2017
This book was written to prepare future space explorers for the rigors of off-world living. However, this thought-provoking book also serves to prepare our youth to live right here on the planet earth more resourcefully. What I took away from this book which my 12-year-old received for Christmas is in order to become a successful astronaut or humanaire, our youth must strive to become better "terranauts". Camping, sailing, and other outings that emphasize the importance of resourcefulness develop the type thinking and behavior that will increase our chances of surviving here at home as well as any place we make our home in space.
October 9, 2015
My son has been telling us forever that he wants to be a "space scientist" and this book is a PERFECT fit! I love that there is stuff for him to fill out along the way, which helps keep his attention, while taking his dream seriously :) Super find for the aspiring astronaut in your life!
September 23, 2015
Review to come
November 3, 2015
A very general sort of manual for kids, it focuses more on the personality traits that would be helpful for space travel than anything else.
July 16, 2018
A good fit for kiddos ages five through ten, I'd think. It's a short audio book (only one hour, exactly), and various of Mongo's suggested activities are a good fit for the audio format ("close your eyes and count" sorts of things). The content starts with practical, near-Earth, actually-achievable things (like: recruit people in your family who support your dream of becoming an astronaut, and start thinking about what classes and real-world experience will put you in a good place for becoming an astronaut later in life). Then it gets a little bit more theoretical, not in any way that makes it impossible to understand, but it definitely moves away from centering on the kid who is reading the book and instead centers on current theoretical research and things that are now considered science fiction but may be achievable in decades to come. The audiobook concludes with deliberations on faster-than-light travel and meeting sentient alien species, so that tells you a little bit about the scope and direction of the content. The material contained here is not likely, however, to prove revelatory information for any but the most amateur space enthusiast over the age of 18.
September 14, 2017
1.5 stars
While the author of this book might really believe that we as a planet are getting to a place, technologically speaking, where humans could actually live in space and thus might be in need of a book of how to prepare for that case, THIS BOOK IS NOT IT. First, the title seems to be incorrect since rather than preparing you to be an "astronaut", that is, someone who goes to space for a relatively short period of time, the book is about and continually uses the word "humannaire", that is, someone who actually lives in space. Secondly, it doesn't really give you any "practical skills for future space explorers" either. Rather the advice is rather general: be prepared, be resourceful, learn to focus, etc. And unlike many of the other books written on similar subjects, this one doesn't even go into the science and specifics of space travel as it currently stands. Finally, the images are rather dizzying, like looking at an old school 3D image without 3D glasses. Overall, a disappointment.
While the author of this book might really believe that we as a planet are getting to a place, technologically speaking, where humans could actually live in space and thus might be in need of a book of how to prepare for that case, THIS BOOK IS NOT IT. First, the title seems to be incorrect since rather than preparing you to be an "astronaut", that is, someone who goes to space for a relatively short period of time, the book is about and continually uses the word "humannaire", that is, someone who actually lives in space. Secondly, it doesn't really give you any "practical skills for future space explorers" either. Rather the advice is rather general: be prepared, be resourceful, learn to focus, etc. And unlike many of the other books written on similar subjects, this one doesn't even go into the science and specifics of space travel as it currently stands. Finally, the images are rather dizzying, like looking at an old school 3D image without 3D glasses. Overall, a disappointment.
October 12, 2017
Re-read this recently.
I'm not the target demographic, being much older than the intended audience. What I do get from reading The Astronaut Instruction Manual isn't exactly a 'how to' on going into the aerospace industry. Of course it's not. Rather, it's a primer for kids on how to look at picking their career and following their dream in a world that is going to be completely different tomorrow. It's much bigger than being an astronaut and Mongo presents it in a way that is part motivational speak and part gentle philosophy.
I'm keeping my copy handy in case I one day have kids of my own.
I'm not the target demographic, being much older than the intended audience. What I do get from reading The Astronaut Instruction Manual isn't exactly a 'how to' on going into the aerospace industry. Of course it's not. Rather, it's a primer for kids on how to look at picking their career and following their dream in a world that is going to be completely different tomorrow. It's much bigger than being an astronaut and Mongo presents it in a way that is part motivational speak and part gentle philosophy.
I'm keeping my copy handy in case I one day have kids of my own.
October 23, 2017
Lately I've been reading books about axe murderers and Steve Bannon, so it was a pleasure to read something so relentlessly optimistic. This is a children's book, but the message is quite serious: If you want to be a humannaire (someone who lives off-Earth), there are skills and knowledge and mindsets you can start amassing right now so you will be ready when the opportunity arises.
Mongo tells his readers, if you can manage to live to age 20, it's likely that you will live a hundred years more--or maybe even longer. My reaction: wow, children's books really ARE different nowadays!
Mongo tells his readers, if you can manage to live to age 20, it's likely that you will live a hundred years more--or maybe even longer. My reaction: wow, children's books really ARE different nowadays!
May 20, 2018
The title is a bit misleading. Right off the author tells the young reader they are going to be Humanaires which means they will live in space. The title suggests they will be astronauts. Excellent reference of other role models throughout history. This book would be best for more advanced readers and readers who already have a background on the topic of space. Maybe students who are interested in A Wrinkle in Time -this book could compliment that sci-fi read.
February 3, 2018
Inspirational read for the Mars generation. Lots of good tips to get started preparing yourself for the great beyond.
November 13, 2015
I received this book from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for a review.
This book is aimed middle school or just pre-middle school (like 4th/5th grades) and is aimed at children interested in becoming astronauts. Which is a lofty proposition and an interesting idea.
Ultimately though, I think it falls very short of it's lofty goals. I don't know if the full book (purchasable) comes with 3D glasses or something, but all of the pictures and side-bar things in the book look like 3D pictures and it actually hurts the eyes and is grating page after page. There's not a whole lot of writing in the book either, despite being 71 pages, each page might have a paragraph worth of text - at best.
The book doesn't really dive into what is needed to become an astronaut either. Some simplistic "ok, you need to become mindful, resourceful, and ready" and things like that. Vague notions and simple ideas. It also keeps using the term "Humannaire" and things like this which seems like a contrived word created by the author. I also don't like how instead of actually discussing terms or ideas, the book has numerous asterisks next to things and then a box at the bottom of the page saying: "Google bioluminescence" or "Google homo sapiens" or some such (it always is a Google X prompt) which really defeats the purpose of buying a book. "Here's a book that tells you to go Google X" .... Exactly.
Sadly, I hate giving it a 2* review, because it does have a good goal, and teaching children to become more pro-active and to love space, and science, and want to become astronauts, is a great [VERY GREAT] idea. I just don't feel this book does an adequate job of it at all, sadly.
This book is aimed middle school or just pre-middle school (like 4th/5th grades) and is aimed at children interested in becoming astronauts. Which is a lofty proposition and an interesting idea.
Ultimately though, I think it falls very short of it's lofty goals. I don't know if the full book (purchasable) comes with 3D glasses or something, but all of the pictures and side-bar things in the book look like 3D pictures and it actually hurts the eyes and is grating page after page. There's not a whole lot of writing in the book either, despite being 71 pages, each page might have a paragraph worth of text - at best.
The book doesn't really dive into what is needed to become an astronaut either. Some simplistic "ok, you need to become mindful, resourceful, and ready" and things like that. Vague notions and simple ideas. It also keeps using the term "Humannaire" and things like this which seems like a contrived word created by the author. I also don't like how instead of actually discussing terms or ideas, the book has numerous asterisks next to things and then a box at the bottom of the page saying: "Google bioluminescence" or "Google homo sapiens" or some such (it always is a Google X prompt) which really defeats the purpose of buying a book. "Here's a book that tells you to go Google X" .... Exactly.
Sadly, I hate giving it a 2* review, because it does have a good goal, and teaching children to become more pro-active and to love space, and science, and want to become astronauts, is a great [VERY GREAT] idea. I just don't feel this book does an adequate job of it at all, sadly.
November 18, 2015
I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I love the pop-art reminiscent cover, but what really won me over and had me smiling through the whole thing was the indefatigable optimism the author manages to inspire from cover to cover. He completely took me away from today's grim outlook as seen via the old fashioned perspective in the shadow of government-run space agencies, and turned me once again towards a future where it's taken for granted that humans have become a space-faring civilization.
I love that this book is aimed towards a younger audience; that was the age when I first fell in love with space travel. Then too many years watching NASA's budget disappear led me to sci-fi as the only optimistic alternative.
Now, people are finally beginning to look upward and outward again, and this book delivers the type of message and attitude that really needs to be instilled in tomorrow's adventurers.
I love that this book is aimed towards a younger audience; that was the age when I first fell in love with space travel. Then too many years watching NASA's budget disappear led me to sci-fi as the only optimistic alternative.
Now, people are finally beginning to look upward and outward again, and this book delivers the type of message and attitude that really needs to be instilled in tomorrow's adventurers.
December 21, 2015
THE ASTRONAUT INSTRUCTION MANUAL: Practical Skills for Future Space Explorers
By: Mike Mongo
2015/ Inkshares, Inc.
WOW!! I wish I had 10 copies - 1 for each of my grandchildren!!
"The Astronaut Instruction Manual" is geared toward middle school readers, and the author, Mike Mongo has done an absolutely fantastic job writing it!
Well written, Mongo includes exercises for skills that any child would be well off to learn, whether they want to go to space, or not.
With clear information about the future of space, and tidbits about people currently in the space field, Mike Mongo's new book will interest any child who picks it up - and adults as well, as I LOVED "The Astronaut Instruction Manual "!
I received this book for free to review. I am a member of Goodreads, Librarything and NetGalley. I also maintain a book blog at www.dbettenson.wordpress.com.
By: Mike Mongo
2015/ Inkshares, Inc.
WOW!! I wish I had 10 copies - 1 for each of my grandchildren!!
"The Astronaut Instruction Manual" is geared toward middle school readers, and the author, Mike Mongo has done an absolutely fantastic job writing it!
Well written, Mongo includes exercises for skills that any child would be well off to learn, whether they want to go to space, or not.
With clear information about the future of space, and tidbits about people currently in the space field, Mike Mongo's new book will interest any child who picks it up - and adults as well, as I LOVED "The Astronaut Instruction Manual "!
I received this book for free to review. I am a member of Goodreads, Librarything and NetGalley. I also maintain a book blog at www.dbettenson.wordpress.com.
December 24, 2015
This looks to be a wonderful book as I flipped through and read some of the pages. Though to be honest, this is for my grandson for Christmas. I will come back and let everyone know what he thinks of this book. Though knowing him, I dare say he's going to love it.
January 4, 2016
went to bookstore in Key West for author signing of this book...definitely appealing to the grade school reader..think I expected something different from this book. will forward it to my grandchildren to get their opinion.
September 10, 2016
This book was a Goodreads giveaway win, donated to my Daughter, the 2nd Grade Teacher's classroom.
The kids very much enjoyed it, goes along with a particular classroom module. This year another class will benefit from this giveaway!
The kids very much enjoyed it, goes along with a particular classroom module. This year another class will benefit from this giveaway!
November 17, 2020
A wonderful book to give to any kid who wants to be an astronaut or is interested in space science.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews