THE MOTH KEEPER

A girl learns about herself and the wider world as she takes on the mantle of Moth Keeper.

When Anya takes her Moth Keeper vows, she knows it means spending nights alone in the desert being a beacon, guardian, and companion to the Moon-Moths. Given as a reward by the Moon-Spirit, the Moon-Moths pollinate the Night-Flower tree, which confers special blessings to the nocturnal community. Anya thrives at first, but the vast darkness and an ancient ghost gnaw at her. Worse, the abundance and warmth of the sun-village are irresistible. Can Anya fulfill her vows to protect her friends, found family, and the Moon-Moths, or will everything be lost with the rising sun? Expressing quiet resilience, this story lifts up nature’s symbiotic relationships and the power of community. Inspired by the alpine landscapes, flora, and fauna of Aotearoa New Zealand, the illustrations revel in the contrast between nighttime indigo and glowing desert colors. At times the storytelling is carried by detailed wordless spreads; at others, oral storytelling is woven into the larger narrative. The characters present with a diverse range of skin tones as well as a mixture of human and animal features. Anya has golden tan skin, wide golden eyes, black eyebrows, and a mane of golden fur that extends into foxlike ears. One character has albinism, and one walks with the use of a cane.

A nature-based coming-of-age story aglow with the light of loving bonds and communal living.