The Best Moon Books For Kids
There are so many great books about the moon available today, both nonfiction and fiction – there truly something for everyone!
These books are ideal for young children who are fascinated with the moon. They cover topics such as its history, phases, and more.
1. Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper
The moon is an iconic symbol that transcends cultures and languages. Floyd Cooper expertly uses this image to capture the unwavering love a child has for their grandfather in Max and the Tag-Along Moon.
In this picture book about an endearing African-American grandfather and grandson, Grandpa reminds Max that the moon above their house is exactly the same one that will accompany him home. On their swervy-curvy car ride back, Max watches the moon tagging along behind and thinks fondly of Grandpa.
Cooper’s captivating paintings capture the awe-inspiring power of the moon, their love for Grandpa and Max, and that special feeling every child experiences when the moon follows them home. This captivating picture book makes an ideal present for explorers and dreamers alike – perfect for Father’s Day or Grandparent’s Day!
Floyd Cooper was an award-winning illustrator and author, winning the Coretta Scott King Award for The Blacker the Berry, three Coretta Scott King Honors for Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea, Meet Danitra Brown, and I Have Heard of a Land. Additionally, he received an NAACP image award.
He is renowned for his realistic depictions of African American life and history that weren’t often taught in classrooms. A passionate supporter of equal rights, Cooper illustrated over 100 books to give a positive representation of Black people.
On May 6, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will celebrate the inaugural Floyd Cooper Day. To mark this momentous occasion, an encore presentation of “Goodnight with Dolly” featuring Cooper’s Max and Tag-Along Moon will be shown, followed by an in memoriam tribute from Dolly herself.
2. Faces of the Moon by Bob Crelin and Leslie Evans
This picture book makes learning about the moon an engaging and educational experience with its rhyming text and bold block-print illustrations. It starts with a new moon, then explores crescent, quarter, and gibbous phases before finally describing and illustrating a full moon.
Faces of the Moon is a great addition to any library’s astronomy or science collection. It’s recommended for ages 6-10 and has numerous engaging features that help young readers comprehend the various phases of the moon.
Bob Crelin has created an extraordinary book that uses rhyming verse and die-cut pages to educate children about the moon. It includes tabs that animate the phasing Moon as each page turns, along with precise cutouts depicting only its visible parts.
Another unique feature is the index tab, which helps kids quickly locate information about each phase of the moon. In addition to rhyming text, this book also has “Moon Memo-Rhymes” so readers can recall important facts they learn.
Written by Bob Crelin and illustrated by Leslie Evans, Faces of the Moon is an engaging way to introduce kids to various lunar phases and their meaning. It follows an easy-to-follow A-B rhyming pattern that’s easy even for young readers to comprehend. Plus, its well-designed linoleum-cut illustrations add extra visual interest. Recommended for ages 6-to-10, this book should be added to any library’s astronomy or scientific reference collection.
3. Moon Day by Adam Rex
The beloved author of School’s First Day of School and other picture books returns with this captivatingly evocative tale about what happens when the moon descends into a girl’s backyard. Mornings become perpetual night, people sigh-sleep in their eyes as the tide comes in and all the neighborhood dogs howl in fear.
This book provides a simple level of information for young children, but also more in-depth explanations and diagrams on the phases of the moon. With illustrations throughout, it makes the material easy to comprehend. Furthermore, there is a full color page featuring images of these phases along with experiments you can do to learn more about them.
Adam Rex is an acclaimed author and illustrator of many books for young readers, middle readers, and adults. His works include School’s First Day of School (illustrated by Christian Robinson), Are You Scared?, Darth Vader?, Nothing Rhymes with Orange, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich and Chu’s Day.
He has also created picture books featuring other bestselling authors such as Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett, plus he collaborated with Laura Park on Digestion: The Musical.
This book has an almost surreal feel that will make it a wonderful read for kids as they imagine taking a moon ride in their own backyard. Packed full of details, the illustrations are beautifully rendered in sepia colors using traditional motifs.
This picture book stands out from its peers due to its unique point of view, which sets it apart. It depicts the first day of school from an unusual perspective than what’s typically seen in picture books, making it even more captivating to read. Furthermore, the book defies expectations by showing how characters grow throughout the narrative.
4. Papa Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle
Eric Carle is one of the beloved children’s book artists of all time. His vibrant collages showcase animals of all shapes and sizes that will have kids giggling with delight. A prolific author, illustrator and champion for the arts who passed away in March 2015, Eric was truly one of a kind.
Papa Please Get the Moon for Me is an endearing story about a daddy who will move heaven and earth to make his little girl contented. It makes an excellent teaching tool when discussing lunar phases or other natural cycles.
The extra-wide fold-out pages are the star of this book. The full moon page looks like an accordion flower, with pages peeling out from the middle to reveal an impressive moon. It’s a great picture to share with children who may not be familiar with its size; especially those younger children.
This book not only features stunning collages, but it’s an excellent teaching tool for kids about the moon’s phases. Furthermore, it serves to introduce them to giving gifts as well.
The story has become a beloved classic among readers of all ages, serving to teach young children about the moon’s cycle and encourage them to ask questions about the text. It will remain an iconic presence in children’s literature for years to come.
5. The Moon Belongs to No One by Jean Craighead George
George is known for her ecologically-based stories that follow a child’s growing connection to nature. These themes are explored in her Newbery Award-winning Julie of the Wolves and My Side of the Mountain books, as well as numerous other works featuring children working with animals.
George’s stories often depict adolescent development in a naturalistic light. For instance, Julie, an Eskimo girl living on an isolated Alaskan island, confronts the struggles her culture presents to an isolated child.
My Side of the Mountain, another story in this same series, follows Sam Gribley as he grows into his independence and relationship with nature. Like Julie, Sam feels inspired by his grandfather to leave home and live alone in the Catskill Mountains where he forms an alternative family out of animals while continually testing his survival skills.
In addition to her novels, George has penned numerous nonfiction works on wildlife conservation and wilderness preservation. These include back-to-nature cookbooks, a nature trail guide and an autobiography.
Overall, The Moon Belongs to No One is an engaging book suitable for both preschoolers and older readers. It boasts several engaging elements such as an intriguing narrative, straightforward plotlines, and plentiful images.
This book can be utilized as a read-aloud for kindergarten through fifth graders as an engaging read. It also serves as the perfect starting point for classroom discussions on topics like stereotypical gender roles, rehabilitation of wild animals and chasing one’s dreams. Other topics that could be covered include geography, ecology and social studies.