WHEN THE MOON CAME DOWN

Moons and rabbits have a long history of sharing stories—witness the U.S. classic Goodnight Moon or folktales from China, Japan, and Korea.

In this new bedtime story by a well-known Turkish writer/illustrator, the moon and a rabbit enter into a friendly relationship. In luminous watercolor scenes, with deep blue skies and twinkling stars, the moon travels down to Earth one night when soft, white Little Bunny wakes, hungry, but is afraid to venture far from his bed. Starting as a crescent, the moon lights the way for the pair to find luscious berries. Each night, as the moon grows fuller, the two explore the local countryside. A tape measure artfully demarcates the white text of one page from a border showing the moon phases. Finally, when the moon is full, the prescient orb guesses Little Bunny’s wish. “Perhaps you should wish to climb up into the sky and touch the stars?” After a beautiful, wordless, double-page, full-bleed spread of the full moon and Little Bunny staring up at a shooting star in an endless night sky, the friends proceed to do just that. “The stars are delighted to meet Little Bunny. Together they dance across the sky.”

A quietly enchanting story to share right before naptime or bed to remind young children of the safety and comfort of the light that shines down upon the Earth at night.