Must See: Children's Book Based On Bowie's 'Space Oddity'

Canadian illustrator Andrew Kolb has created one of the most fascinating children's books I have ever seen.  Based on David Bowie's rock classic, 'Space Oddity', it tells the story of Major Tom and his ultimate demise in outer space.  The book contains the song's original lyrics as the story, with vivid illustrations to help bring Tom to life.

'Space Oddity' was released just 10 days before the Apollo 11 lunar landing.  Though it was intended to be somewhat of a tongue in cheek insult at the failed British space program, the BBC used it during news coverage of the event.  In time, it has become one of the most iconic songs in music history.

At the moment, Kolb has not found a publisher for the book.  It is not even clear as to whether Bowie has seen it.  He does not have permission at this time from Mr. Bowie to publish it.  Hopefully, in time, that will change.

In the meantime, you can download a PDF of the book, at no charge, from Kolb's website.  I read the story to my three year old before bed time tonight.  She didn't like it.  She thought it was too sad.  She asked me to read Angelina Ballerina, instead.

For the last three days, since reading this book, I have had this song in my head.  I know you will, too.  I hope this helps.

Update:  Talk about bad timing.  It appears that the downloadable PDF of the book has been taken down.  Word is, there is a possibility that Kolb may have received a cease and desist from Bowie's lawyers.  That didn't take long.  

I am looking at a work around at getting a full copy of the book online from other sources.  If I am able to do so, I will post accordingly.

Update 2:  I have just taken a look at his site, and it is now so altered, that all text is blurred out, including the title of the book.  In fact, the site name is now "space book", instead of "space oddity".  Just sad.

The Graceful End To The Shuttle Program

At 5:57 EST this morning, Atlantis touched down at NASA's Kennedy Space Center for the last time.  It was a sad, yet glorious moment in the nation's history, as the Space Shuttle program is officially over.  After 30 years in service, and coincidentally on the 42nd anniversary of the moon landing, the ship came home after a journey of 5,284,862 miles.


As she landed, Shuttle commander Capt. Christopher J. Ferguson said, "Mission complete, Houston.  After serving the world for over 30 years, the space shuttle has earned it's place in history, and it’s come to a final stop."  He then thanked Columbia, Challenger and the other Shuttles in the fleet for their contributions to space exploration.  I would be lying if I said I didn't get a bit choked up.




The video, though a bit long, is amazing to watch.  For the first time that I've seen, it includes the landing from the perspective of inside Atlantis.  This isn't like landing a 747.  When it entered our atmosphere, Atlantis was traveling at nearly 4,000 miles per hour.  She has no engines and is pointing down at an angle seven times steeper than that of a commercial airliner.  The Shuttle has been described as a "flying brick".  There are no second chances at landing it.  It's not as if they're able to loop it back around Kennedy for another attempt.  For as "simple" as it is, it's an engineering and technological marvel.

The Shuttle captured our imaginations and made the search for the unknown a priority in our country again.  If not for the Shuttle, the Hubble telescope would not have been possible.  Neither would countless imaging and communications satellites.  The Shuttle program is directly responsible for our new found understanding of the galaxy and universe around us.

I remember the moment Challenger broke apart, while I was watching it with my fifth grade classmates.  I remember the Saturday morning of February 1, 2003, when I was awoken by a phone call, telling me that Columbia had disintegrated in the skies over Texas.  It has been a tumultuous 30 years, to say the least.  As someone that wanted to be an astronaut as a little boy, I couldn't help but get a little emotional hearing the twin sonic booms for the last time during Atlantis' reentry.  It makes me so unimaginably proud to be an American.

Video: See A Once In A Lifetime Shot Of Atlantis' Final Launch

Earlier this week, NASA released video of the final launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, taken from cameras placed in various locations on the solid rocket boosters.  The series of clips run a little over a half an hour long, but provide a number of "Oh, wow" moments.  To see Atlantis pull away as the boosters start to fall back to earth is awe inspiring.  Simply beautiful footage.

Carl Sagan On The End Of The Shuttle Era

A beautiful, inspiring and thought provoking send off from the hereafter.