Review by Booklist Review
In this stellar introduction to the cycles and transformative process of the moon, the creators' artistic collaboration will delight those not yet old enough to read and enthrall budding scientists and astronomers. Bausum's words pair beautifully with Han's vibrant, whimsical illustrations, which welcome readers to all corners of the globe, from metropolis to yet-untouched nature, from ocean to desert and even outer space, as the moon makes its monthly journey and experiences the predictable changes. The poetic text is a call-and-response between a narrator and the moon, delivered in heroic couplets. While slipping in scientific vocabulary, the gentle language will captivate young minds with the lulling refrain, "I see the moon. Can the moon see me?" The moon responds in the first person, illuminating the audience through information as well as radiant artwork. Back matter will further inspire curious minds with additional information, a cycle chart, and a glossary. Fans of Natalia and Lauren O'Hara or Oliver Jeffers will marvel at this confluence of visual art, science, and poetry.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This quiet bedtime picture book follows the lunar cycle's phases through a rhythmic conversation between an unnamed narrator and the moon. The refrain, "I see the moon. Can the moon see me?/ Tell me... moon, what do you see?" is followed by a quatrain reply that describes the moon's phase and a scene it surveys. In Han's expansive gradient digital spreads, simple figures appear in landscapes across the world, some stated, some vague ("Mongolian plains," the Taj Mahal, an unspecified Grecian littoral, and Paris), before landing on a snowy scene where "when you're sleeping, tucked in snug/ I'll wrap you in a moonlit hug." Though the couplets at times weight rhyme over clarity ("I see a tower curved a trifle/ based on plans by Gustave Eiffel"), the soft illustrations shine. Back matter includes in-depth explanations via a glossary, list of moon phases, and an author's note. Ages 4--8. (June)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Based loosely on the lullaby that begins, "I see the moon, and the moon sees me," this book takes young readers on a journey around the world while following the phases of the moon. From the plains of Mongolia to the Taj Mahal in India to a ship on an unnamed sea, the rhyming text simultaneously describes the status of the moon and the people and places it shines over. The words are a dialogue, alternating between a child asking the moon a question and the moon's answers. Each call-and-response pairing is presented on a separate double-page spread and is accompanied by illustrations that show the moon phase described. While informative, the text is often clunky and lacks a logical flow. For example, it is unclear why the author mentions specific destinations in Europe and Asia and leaves other locations up to readers' imaginations. Furthermore, the presentation can be confusing for a picture-book audience. At one point, for instance, the text mentions that what appears to be a half-moon is actually a quarter moon, but this mystifying statement is explained only in the backmatter. Where the book truly shines is in its visuals: Han masterfully uses a rich, dark palette to create pictures full of depth and life; in particular, the book's two wordless spreads use light brilliantly. The illustrations include characters with a variety of hair textures and skin tones. The backmatter includes a general note on the moon, a glossary, and a description of the phases with accompanying illustrations; all is well written and fascinating for young readers. A mixed bag: disappointing text but stunning illustrations. (Picture book. 3-6 ) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
