by Carmen Agra Deedy (Author) Jim LaMarche (Illustrator)
Have you ever seen the moon on a clear blue day and wondered why? There once was a time when the sun alone ruled the day, the moon graced the night, and little children were sent to bed before sunset.
Then early one dawn, the moon heard sounds of children laughing, and she yearned to see them by daylight. Certainly not! snapped the sun. The day is mine. The night is yours! But the moon had a clever plan...
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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.
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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.