Zoe and Beans: Pants on the moon! by Mick and Chloe Inkpen

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Macmillan, 2012. ISBN 9780230748477.
(Ages: 5+) Picture book. Adventure. The fourth in the warmly eye catching series about best friends, Zoe and Beans, will have readers involved as they trip along with the duo's adventures, whether it be the gentle Zoe's Christmas list or the introductory The magic hoop, the familiar tales of friendship will endear themselves to the child and adult readers alike. Read aloud, read in a small group or read alone, each story sings with enthusiasm for togetherness and camaraderie.
Zoe's washing line, full of pants, is swept up into the sky one very windy day. She holds onto one end, imploring Beans to grab the other end. Together they go up and up, Zoe's dress billowing out. With the line caught on a passing plane, Zoe's dress gets pulled off, and they land on the moon. Here they have several adventures, exploring the dark side of the moon, getting covered in moon dust and finding the flag of the United States of America. They use the flag to billow back to earth where they need to wash their pants all over again.
A sweet story of adventure and friendship, students will be initially intrigued by the references to pants, underwear and Zoe's dress blowing up. The colourful illustrations will lead the readers along, taking in the sparse text about the friends' adventures in this strange place, and be with them returning to earth. The pants on the line flow through the story keeping the students' attention and the story could be the vehicle to talk of things otherwise not discussed in the classroom or at home.
Fran Knight

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