Moonstruck!

The Children’s Moon by Carmen Agra Deedy art by Jim LaMarche

It’s not often that you will find a picture book that is a literary gem brimming with sparkling personality,  folktale-like mythology, poetic language, luminous art, and a STEM component. Deedy's enchanting storytelling and LaMarche's exquisite illustrations combine to tell a wondrous origin tale.

Text consists of a dialog between the moon and the sun.
As the moon rises, she hears a noise "like the daintiest of silver bells" and wonders what makes that sweet music. The sun informs her that the sound is made by children. Moon laments that she is unable to see the children and they cannot see her. Is there a way for her to see the children? Sun adamantly retorts that this is not possible.

​The day is mine.
​The night is yours.

With inventive thinking, the two devise a plan that will allow the sun to view the stars gleaming in the night sky.  Then the sun will shine on his friend in such a manner that the moon can see and be seen by the children.

It a beautiful mythology that explains an astronomical phenomenom.

Back matter includes detailed information on how to view a "children's moon" in the night sky, an infographic explaining phases of the moon, a collection of interesting scientific factoids about the moon. For example, the moon not only reflects light, it also radiates light. Interestingly, the moon is not a sphere, but egg-shaped. Links to online resources are provided.

The Children’s Moon is the perfect bedtime story and is also an excellent companion to an astronomy lesson.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

​Pub date: October 19, 2021 Publisher: Scholastic Press ISBN: 978-1338216394