If you have a little astronaut-in-training at home – the sort who gazes up at the night sky and asks perfectly reasonable questions like “How do you eat breakfast upside down?” – then Mission to the Moon – A Sensory Space Story may be the next family must-read.
Written and illustrated by David Grigor, a lifelong space enthusiast with more than a passing history of real astronaut training, this new children’s book doesn’t just tell a story. It invites readers of all abilities to experience one.
At its heart is Stella, a dreamer who longs to float among the stars. She sketches a picture of an astronaut, never expecting it to answer back -and certainly not expecting that very astronaut to be her Aunt Ava, who promptly whisks Stella and her brother Jake off on a mission to the Moon.
What follows is a joyful, imaginative journey through zero gravity, lunar landscapes, and cosmic problem-solving – all crafted in a way that encourages readers to touch, feel, imagine, and genuinely take part.
A story designed for every kind of reader
What makes Mission to the Moon truly stand out is its groundbreaking multi-sensory design. Grigor developed the book in collaboration with PAMIS, the leading Scottish organisation supporting people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).
While sensory books are often created for a small, specialist audience, this one deliberately – and refreshingly – breaks the mould. It’s written for everyone: early years readers, young adults, neurodivergent children, reluctant readers, sensory seekers, and any child who simply loves space, adventure, or a good story before bed.
Each page blends tactile ideas, visual richness, and playful prompts, giving readers the freedom to explore the story world at their own pace and in their own way. The result feels both educational and delightfully imaginative – and importantly, fully inclusive.
Inspired by real-life astronaut adventures
Behind the cosmic fun lies Grigor’s lifelong passion for space. As a child, he painted rockets and tracked Halley’s Comet. As a teenager, he founded his school’s Astronomy Society. As an adult, he attended the prestigious Educator’s Space Academy in Huntsville, Alabama – twice – where he completed simulated missions, met astronauts, and earned the coveted “Right Stuff” medal.
It’s no surprise, then, that Mission to the Moon comes with a healthy sense of authenticity: real space science woven into gentle storytelling, with plenty of humour (including a popular section on how astronauts go to the loo, which one reviewer admits caused “great fun” in the classroom).
Grigor’s personal experience also shapes the book’s inclusive spirit. As a dyslexic artist and father of a child with special needs, he understands first-hand how valuable accessible, creative storytelling can be. His long-standing work with PAMIS helped shape the sensory elements that elevate this from a simple narrative to a truly shared experience.
Readers have already been charmed. Early Amazon reviews describe the book as “fabulous”, “beautifully textured”, “lovely”, and “a great find for anyone interested in space or the Moon”.
Plot snapshot
Stella dreams big – really big. When her drawing of an astronaut suddenly speaks back, she, her brother Jake, and Aunt Ava find themselves launched into a lunar mission involving:
• A zero-gravity breakfast
• A moonwalk or two
• A cosmic treasure hunt
• Lessons in bravery, imagination, and the joy of discovery
It’s a celebration of dreaming boldly, thinking creatively, and knowing that adventure is for absolutely everyone.
How to get your copy
Mission to the Moon – A Sensory Space Adventure
ISBN: 979-8290799117
Independently published, Mission to the Moon – A Sensory Space Adventure is available to purchase in paperback (ISBN No: 979-8290799117) priced £10.99 and Kindle format (£4.99) on Amazon.
The author
David Grigor is an artist and educator who has taught Art & Design since 1995. His creative work, educational resources, and space-themed projects are showcased on his website, where families and educators can explore additional activities linked to the book’s “mission patch”. www.davidgrigor.com/mission-to-the-moon
If your household contains curious stargazers, sensory seekers, or simply children who love an adventure before lights-out, Mission to the Moon is a warm, imaginative, and wonderfully accessible addition to your bookshelf. It reminds children – and the grown-ups reading beside them – that dreaming big is for everyone.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
