Review by Booklist Review
In this story, whimsically illustrated by LaMarche, the moon strongly wishes to do what the sun can do: hear and see children play during the day. But she is restricted to nighttime and requires the sun's permission to occupy the daytime sky. Cleverly, the moon begins to describe the enthralling sight of "an entire universe of stars," and now the boastful sun's interest is piqued. They work together to form an eclipse, and the sun is mesmerized by the endless number of stars just like himself. In exchange, the sun grants the moon's wish to appear during the day to see the children--which is why a daytime moon is sometimes called a children's moon. Nonfiction back matter supports this fable-like tale that explores the origins of solar eclipses and the daytime moon, and thematic elements of collaboration, negotiation, envy, and friendship between different types of personalities. Both the sun and moon have deeply expressive faces in LaMarche's artwork, and the landscapes they watch over are vividly rendered. A playful introduction to two familiar celestial bodies.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--An original porquoi tale explains the phenomenon--seeing the moon during daylight--the author calls a Children's Moon. Moon hears the sound of children and wants to learn more about these creatures she has never seen before. Children have always gone to bed before the sun sets and the moon has always been deprived of their company. Sun, a boastful and controlling sort of character, likes it that way. Not only does he enjoy shining most brightly in the sky, but he wants to be the center of the attention for the children. Only when the moon is able to communicate that there are other stars in the sky is the sun's interest piqued to the point in making a deal with the moon. Back matter adds additional information about the moon and our relationship with it. The illustrations are full of LaMarche's emotive watercolors that capture the beauty of a world where sunshine and moonlight are equally radiant. VERDICT The well-told tale works on multiple levels, useful in units on the moon and mythology, but also for an SEL discussion on identity, ego, and sharing.--John Scott, formerly Friends Sch. of Baltimore
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A "children's moon" occurs when the moon is seen for several hours after sunrise. Since children were traditionally sent to bed early, before the moon had a chance to rise, the moon in this picture book feels that she never has a chance to see children. She begs the sun, a rather haughty fellow, to let her experience seeing the young people of the Earth. The sun keeps refusing her requests until the moon gives the sun the experience of viewing his fellow stars in the universe, "and if he felt less grand…he also felt a little less lonely" afterward. The moon asks once again, singing out, "will you please-please-please-with-a-comet-on-top let me see the children?" Only then does the brilliant yellow orb arrange for the moon to have this experience. Told in the manner of a folktale, the story is followed by instructions on how to see the so-called children's moon after the waning gibbous phase and a page of miscellaneous facts about the moon. The softly warm paintings feature the two heavenly orbs with many different expressions on their very human faces. They shine down on different places all around the Earth, and one final double-page spread shows a multiracial cast of kids gazing up. This can be used effectively as a bedtime story at home or as a playful adjunct to lessons about the sun and the moon and their places in the solar system. Smooth prose and amusing illustrations explain a monthly astronomical occurrence. (Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
