First Israeli spacecraft to the moon launches children's book

The book "The Little Spacecraft" aims to encourage more children to reach new heights and dream of going into space.

By YAFIT OVADIA
Updated: DECEMBER 20, 2018 20:30
The new children's book "The Little Spacecraft" by Dr. Mom (photo credit: STELLARNOVA LTD.)
The new children's book "The Little Spacecraft" by Dr. Mom
(photo credit: STELLARNOVA LTD.)
A new children’s book, which inspires kids to pursue the space frontier, is coming to bookstores soon. The book’s release was set to coincide with the unveiling of the first Israeli spacecraft to be sent to the moon.
The book, The Little Spacecraft, aims to encourage more children to reach new heights and dream of going into space.
StellarNova, a company that produces books, toys and other children’s paraphernalia, has partnered with SpaceIL in the creation of the book.
The announcement comes just a few days after the passing of Rona Ramon, the wife of Israel’s pioneer astronaut Ilan Ramon, who spearheaded many outreach and scholarship programs to inspire and support youth who wished to pursue a career in space-related fields.
Israel’s moon-destined spacecraft – named Beresheet (beginning) – is set to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida in the spring of 2019. It will make Israel the fourth country to land a module on the surface of the moon. The only countries who have managed this feat are the US, Russia and China.
The book by Dr. Mom tells the story of a toy spacecraft, Berrie, which is based on the real-life model of Beresheet. While Berrie dreams of flying to the moon, the other spacecraft think she is too small to achieve such big dreams. Berrie explains to her friends the special tools she is composed of that will help her accomplish the mission. By using children’s language that is easy to understand, the book aims to appeal to young ones who have hopes of reaching similar dreams.
Vice president of SpaceIL, Sari Brosh Rechav, said the book is designed to motivate children who dream of space travel to consider studying STEM subjects. “With SpaceIL helping Israel to land on the moon, and by describing a parallel journey that any Jewish child could relate to, we hope to nurture the dreams of kids across Israel and around the Diaspora to venture into the STEM subjects and help take more giant leaps for mankind.”