HELLO, MOON

A look at the many faces and phases of the moon and a child’s understanding of the natural world.

A child with beige skin and curly dark hair points out the window at the full moon, eager to go say hello. Together, the child and a caregiver bundle up against the wintry chill and head out on the first of many nocturnal jaunts to explore the various shapes and phases of the moon. One night, the child expresses concern about the disappearing moon. The caregiver reassures the child that all is well (“It sounds like the Moon is feeling shy. Should we go out and say hello?”), and the two sit with and comfort the moon as it slowly disappears over a period of two weeks, a process depicted in graphic novel–like panels. In an unexpected surprise, the child and caregiver appear etched white against a moonless blue-purple sky. Loose lines and expressive faces convey the closeness between the child and caregiver. Though the text is quiet and fairly straightforward, striking angles and perspectives keep each spread vibrant and eye-catching. Orblike shapes echo throughout the book—for instance, the child’s head. Warm reds, yellows, and purples used to portray indoor scenes transform into thinner, flatter hues in the cold moonlight, and a marbleized texture lends depth and movement to each illustration. This one pairs well with Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon (1987), illustrated by John Schoenherr, with a unique art style perfect for bedtime and library storytime alike, with age-appropriate STEM opportunities as well. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Learning, empathy, and wonder in an ever shifting luminous landscape.