Review by Booklist Review
This is a variant of a pourquoi tale, with restoration instead of creation at its center. Bear blames the moonlight for his sleepless nights, so he steals it, leaving the other animals with a sense of loss. The story builds as one by one the animals ask each other for information and ultimately seek out Owl. Their search for answers, and then the moon itself, is the perfect device for turning the page. The soft watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, many within their own frame, mirror the text's gentleness. When the animals talk with one another, they move more freely on pages with a white background. The repetition of simple phrases encourages a young reader's participation. Storytelling and dancing conclude the story, an inclusive and positive ending. Pair with Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (2004) for another moon celebration.--Ching, Edie Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
When a group of forest animals discovers that Bear has stolen the moon-he blames its bright light for his insomnia-they hatch a plan to get it back. As Crow lulls Bear to sleep with a story, Fox, the group's leader, spots something glowing in Bear's pillowcase. "Quickly, Fox and Crow grabbed the pillow bag and set the moon free," writes Kherdian. "And all the animals cheered and danced under the light of the moon." (Bear blissfully sleeps through it all.) Along with the elegant economy of its language and the quiet beauty of Hogrogian's watercolors, which are gently textured with pencil, one of the most striking aspects of this ostensibly simple reverie of a story is how much its creators, a highly honored husband-and-wife team, trust readers. They don't amplify the prose or pictures with visual signposts or adjectives to tell audiences what to feel (the late Elmore Leonard would have been proud). Instead, they let their spare, deeply resonant storytelling reveal the quiet, instinctive determination of the animals to set things right. The action is low-key, almost tableau-like, and never less than compelling. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-The moon looms large in children's literature: Frank Asch, Eric Carle, Kevin Henkes, and countless others have paid homage to that fascinating round face in the night sky. In Come Back, Moon, Kherdian and Hogrogian have collaborated on an original story that has the simplicity and resonance of a folktale. Bear is stretched out uncomfortably, head in hand, as a smiling golden moon floats over the blue night and the just-perceptible forest. The accompanying text is refreshingly direct: "Bear couldn't sleep and blamed the light of the moon. So Bear stole the moon." Fox, Skunk, Opossum, Raccoon, and Crow are on the case, consulting wise Owl and using their particular skills to effect a rescue. Hogrogian captures the character of each animal, mood, and scene with disarming expertise. Readers know that it's night, but the darkness has many colors. The brilliant orange of the fox and the dramatic patterning of the skunk add extra contrast to every page. Even the opossum is endearingly drawn. Kherdian is at his poetic best, gracing the tale with few, carefully chosen words. The artwork is beautifully balanced and radiates personality. The combination of great talent, elegant restraint, and exceptional creative decisions has produced a timeless book that will still be enjoyed by the great grandchildren of those who read it today.-Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Claiming it keeps him awake, Bear hides the moon, and some other animals set out to get it back. They lull Bear to sleep with a story, find the hiding place, and release the moon. In this easy-to-read tale, everyone wins--even Bear, who finally gets some rest. The uncluttered watercolor and pencil illustrations offer simple, childlike portraits of the animals. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Poet and Newbery Honoree Kherdian (The Road from Home: The Story of an Armenian Girl, 1979) teams again with his wife, distinguished two-time Caldecott-winning illustrator and author Hogrogian, for this gentle animal fable (Lullaby for Emily, 1995, etc.). "Bear couldn't sleep and blamed the light of the moon." He steals it and stuffs it into his pillowcase. Other animals--Fox, Skunk, Opossum and Raccoon--miss the moon and speculate as to its whereabouts. Crow says to Fox, "You're the clever one. Where did it go?" Fox suggests asking wise Owl. Hogrogian's soft, muted watercolors, further grayed by pencil, depict the parade of woodland creatures en route to Owl's perch, trailing behind Fox's white-tipped tail. When Owl fingers Bear, Fox and Crow hatch a plan. Crow tells Bear a slumber-inducing story, then he and Fox snatch the pillowcase and release the moon. The happy ending reveals the animals dancing by moonlight while Bear sleeps contentedly on. Within plainspoken text and dialogue, Kherdian weaves a folkloric motif--the moon's theft and restoration--with child-resonant tropes: mistaken judgment, compelling curiosity and cooperation to right wrongs. Hogrogian subtly characterizes the animals' emotions and responses without anthropomorphizing them unduly. The keen tilt of Fox's head indicates acute observation, while Bear's heavy-lidded eyes and relaxed pose telegraph imminent napping. (Incidentally, only Bear's gender is conveyed, permitting diverse interpretations for the other creatures.) Charming. (Picture book. 3-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
