The Children's Moon

About this book

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...

Carmen Agra Deedy and Jim LaMarche have brilliantly crafted an original pourquoi tale about finding one's place in the universe.

Reviews

Praise for The Children's Moon, by Carmen Agra Deedy:

“…LaMarche’s emotive watercolors…capture the beauty of a world where sunshine and moonlight are equally radiant. 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.” --School Library Journal

Praise for The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!, by Carmen Agra Deedy:

* "Deedy's original tale about standing up to oppression couldn't be more timely. Yelchin's saturated, folksy, mixed-media paintings are the perfect partner, fleshing out the characterizations and offering visual humor. This subtle, modern multicultural tale is a must have." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Deedy uses repeating language to powerful effect, ramping up the stakes while underscoring the gallito's steady determination...Yelchin amplifies themes of protest and injustice in vivid mixed-media caricatures that emphasize the rooster's humble nobility in contrast to Don Pepe's sneering autocratic airs. Like the gallito's cries of 'kee-kee-ree-kee!' Deedy's message about speaking up and speaking out rings as clearly as a bell." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Deedy's original story of the noisy village of La Paz has the feel of a well-told folktale -- one with plenty of dry wit... Bright hues and busy page layouts reflect a boisterous La Paz but fade to dull blues and open space when Don Pepe comes into power. Following the narrative arc, the color and energy return with the gallito's arrival and resistance. The story closes with an inspiring author's note encouraging readers and listeners to make themselves heard." -- The Horn Book, starred review

"Told with a storyteller's flair, the narrative reads like a folktale, while Yelchin's mixed-media illustrations are vibrant and perfectly suit the text. A fun read-aloud for any library, especially ones looking for stories with Hispanic influence." -- School Library Journal

Praise for Rita and Ralph's Rotten Day, by Carmen Agra Deedy:

* "Oswald's illustrations take full advantage of this book's elongated format, accentuating the distance between the friends' houses... Deedy's realistic portrait of the ups and downs of friendship will strike a familiar chord with young readers. This well-crafted story is an excellent choice for those seeking books featuring conflict-resolution to help children learn to manage their emotions and build healthy friendships and boundaries." -- Booklist, starred review

"A sincere and sympathetic but unsentimental treatment of a challenging behavior for youngsters -- the admission of wrongdoing and the repair of friendship -- told with a lilting cadence by noted storyteller Deedy... Kids can glean a lot from Rita and Ralph: miscommunication is an easy, inevitable occurrence between friends, and though making up is much more difficult, it's always worth a shot, and accountability goes a long way when making amends. A corresponding hand game, 'Mr. Wiggle & Mr. Waggle,' complete with diagrams, accompanies the text." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Recommended

* "A terrific read-aloud... Rita and Ralph's tiff, told with a sweet freshness, is a timeless, engaging tale with which any young reader is likely to identify... Best friends learn that asking for -- and accepting -- forgiveness is an up-and-down process in this delightful picture book." -- Shelf Awareness, starred review