Bringing Down the Moon

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Story for Bedtime
Review: "The moon was hanging in the sky above him, like a bright silver coin. Mole thought it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen." And that is the start of Mole's bittersweet, funny quest to possess the moon. He jumps for, pokes at, throws at and eventually climbs for the moon. But as Rabbit, Hedgehog, and Squirrel tell the little Mole, "It's not as close as it looks." When Mole thinks he has broken the moon, Rabbit, Hedgehog and Squirrel reassure him that the moon is still in the sky, and still beautiful.

The soft, enchanting watercolor illustrations underscore the sweetness of the story. It is nighttime, but not dark or foreboding, because the moon makes it seem warm and inviting with the pastel blue sky as a backdrop. Adults may want to smile at Mole's attempts to own the moon, but may also secretly want him to reach it. Preschoolers will probably come up with solutions of their own, and may identify with the small mole's attempts to own the moon. But more importantly, young children will learn that attempting anything is just as rewarding as succeeding. This would make a wonderful story for bedtime.