Basket Moon

by Mary Lyn Ray, Barbara Cooney (Illustrator)

In a lyrical, elegant coming-of-age picture book, a boy begins to doubt his heritage when he hears taunts of "hillbilly" and "bushwhacker, " while accompanying his father to the big city. Color illustrations throughout.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Family, Adventure

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Mary Lyn Ray is a conservationist and author of several picture books for children. She was born in Louisiana in 1946 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Ray has lived in New England since 1964, when she first came east to attend college. She currently lives in a 150-year-old farmhouse in South Danbury, New Hampshire, which she restored herself.

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evoking a sense of nostalgia for an older age and a simpler time, this book shows the craftsmanship and pride that went into every basket woven by the Taghkanic families in New York.

I borrowed the book because I knew it had been illustrated by Barbara Cooney, a famous children's book illustrator who lived in my hometown for many years.

When reading picture books, I always look to see how the illustrations were created. I was very interested to see that her typical oil pastel and acrylic illustrations had been created on China silk and acetate.

Overall, it's a sweet story of a young boy as he was growing up and coming into his own as a tradesman. The narrative is short and the illustrations really help to tell the story. It's a quiet story and would do well for reading at bedtime.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A traditional picture book with text based on the history of the Hudson River / Taconic region basket makers or "bushwhackers." The artwork by Caldecott Medalist Barbara Cooney is a wonderful complement to the story. The end of the book contains a brief historical note about the real basket makers of the Taconic region.

[Megan Cureton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basket Moon is about a young boy that grew up admiring and watching his father basket-weave to make baskets from the tress that surrounded their home. He couldn't wait until he was old enough to join his father whenever he went to the big city to sell his baskets. But when he arrives in the city, he wasn't prepared for the hillbilly remarks they get from the city people. This discourages the young boy, but he soon realizes that this is his heritage. I really enjoyed this book. I thought at first it started off kind of slow, but it got better as the story progressed. I would have this book in my future library for my first through third graders. I think that this book shows some over all concepts that young children could benefit from. From of all, how the city people named called at him. This shows students that even a long time ago, people still name called and it shows how it hurts the boys feelings and students could relate to this if they have ever been name called or felt these feelings the boy went through, or if they haven't, this lets them put themselves in someone else's shoes and lets them experience it as if it were happening to them. Another reason I like this book is because in the end, the boy accepts his heritage and overcomes everything that has made him upset. This proves to children that you should not be ashamed of your heritage or culture and you should own it and take pride in it.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This account of a boy grows up in a basket-weaving community in the mountains of New York was brilliantly executed. It brought up the the concept of prejudice very briefly as the boy must endure taunting from the townsfolk of Hudson when he goes with his father to sell baskets, but throughout it emphasized the importance of family pride and community support. The characters were strong and gentle. Very nicely done.

[Cheryl]

Dang. Forgot to review at the time, and now of course have forgotten what I thought of it. Well, got it just for Cooney's art anyway, and do remember it was just fine. Gee. Sorry.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever wonder about the art of basket weaving? Know which trees are basket trees?

In this collaboration between Mary Lyn Ray (story) and Barbara Cooney (illustrations) we learn about the people who used to live among the best trees for baskets. They would weave a shed full and then take them to town to sells when the moon was full enough to give them plenty of light. It was the Basket Moon.

Our narrator longs to be old enough to go along to town with his father. When he does get to go he realizes that the comforting community of the Taghkanic people in the Hudson valley is different from the Hudson residents. In town he hears words like "bushwacker" and "hillbilly." Back home it takes some contemplation and words of wisdom from his mother and others to remind him of the special calling to make baskets.

If you google Taghkanic baskets today you will find that they are still sold in antique stores. A well-made basket is still a treasure today.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me, this is a historical fiction picture book.
A few families who were basket weavers lived in the highlands near Hudson, New York. There a young boy watched his father prepare the material needed for baskets from oak, ash, maple and hickory trees. He was eager to go with his father to the city to sell baskets, but until he was old enough he was not allowed. Finally, when he was nine, the boy was permitted to go on the long walk with his dad and help carry baskets to sell or trade for what they needed. He was amazed at everything he saw, but when they were leaving for home with their supplies, some men made fun of them. The boy was disheartened about his family life. He had to listen for his own calling by the wind in order to feel good about who he was.
Very well told and illustrated.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was okay. I didn't really care for the writing style though.

Ages: 5 - 9

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it!

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[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated story of regional nostalgia and the tradecraft of basketmaking in NY. It reminds me of a cross between The Ox cart man (Also illustrated by Barbara Cooney) and the Foxfire books.

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good

[The Transmuted Tree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red 2nd

[Erin Lisenby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lila: 💯🌹

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have bought this book for the illustrations alone, but the story is very rewarding also. I didn't know there were basketmakers in Columbia County, NY at the turn of the century.

[Elijah Zarate · Rating 2 out of 5]

It lacked a personal connection to latch on to, but it was still kind of nice. 6/10

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this because it was illustrated by Barbara Cooney, and I loved it. Very lovely story!

[Tabitha Ashcraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

i

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching story of a young boy trying to find his calling.

[Patricia Stephens · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just did not seem to like this book as much. When I was reading it, it was hard to focus on what I was reading because I felt like the story was not entertaining. It was just a plain story about a boy who dreamed to be a basket maker just like his dad one day and was discouraged after comments shouted towards the two of them when he accompanied his dad into town. The book was also very wordy, mostly when the narrator would list a bunch of items that were seen and when describing the terminology of basket making, which could be confusing to a child if not explained (or at least it was that way in my opinion).

Despite the things I didn't like, I did like the illustrations and the meaning of the whole story. I felt like it was a great story to teach children about heritage and not worrying about what society thinks. The family did not conform to society since they were still living out in the forest and not in the town, and because they were still making baskets for a living. And, the fact that people were still buying their baskets in the town showed just how artistic their practice of basket making really was. It made me appreciate old practices, that is for sure. Overall though, I do not think I would read this book again. It was okay.

[Victoria Leininger-halpern · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as stories go, this book had an interesting one, but at times it was fairly dull and lackluster and doesn't really grab your attention. A young boy admires his father's basket weaving skills, and when he finally gets the chance to help him, he is picked on in town and called names, so he decides to abandon the project. But he soon realizes that not everyone is going to agree with the things you like, and it is more important o be yourself than it is to please others.

The story in this book has a strong message that all kids should be taught, that in this life you have to work hard to be yourself because there will always be someone trying to tear you down, but it is important to stand by who you are and not care what others think.

The illustrations in this book are good, however not as fine or polished as they probably could have been. They are by no means ugly, some of the details and colors the illustrator used are very beautiful and rich, but overall this story and it's illustrations were not as exciting as I feel like they could have been.

I would still recommend this book to children of all ages, as it provides an important lesson and is a good story overall.

[Jean Hussey-Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a wonderful book that tells about a boy coming of age and how listening to the talk of others can change your whole life.
"Basket Moon" is about a boy who wants to be like his father and hear the trees as well as travel to the big town with his father to sell the baskets his father makes by hand. The boy has to wait until his father says he can come and his father is waiting until he is old enough. However, he changes his mind about becoming like his father when some of the town folks yell mean things at him and his father. The boy has to decide if he is going to make his own choice on how he wants to live or let the talk of those make that choice for him. This book shares how patience pays off and how listening to yourself is better than listening to others who have nothing good to say.

[Andrew Swanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our young protagonist wants to go with his father, a basket-weaver, into town. Every full moon his father takes the baskets he's made that month into town and trades them for goods the family needs; because of this, our main character calls this the Basket Moon. When he's eight, he thinks he's old enough to finally go, but alas, he is not, and so he waits and waits as the months pass by. When he's nine, at last, he's old enough, and while things in town seem amazing at first, something happens that makes the boy second guess his entire life. In the end, he must hear the wind's call to find his place.

This was an adorable book! Charming illustrations and an endearing story.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone wants to belong. This is true no matter what era a child grows up in. Mean words are hurtful.

But a well-made basket -- an object of practical beauty -- endures. And beauty, since it is in the eye of the beholder, can occur anywhere. Even in "everyday" homey objects.

It is worth remembering that nearly every basket a person uses was made by hand -- even today!

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for kids! It is easy to read and keeps your interest. It is not too wordy, but it is a little bit of a longer story. Ray does a great job at showing how it is important to be true to one's self and not give into others perceptions of you or the ones you love. I really enjoyed this book.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love coming of age books and to find one in a picture book I think is just great. Loved the poetic language and the illustrations were perfect accompanies. The art really told a different story than the text and was a valuable addition. I think I could almost make my own baskets from reading this book because of the illustrations. the book is a five star book. :)

[MissInformation · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cooney writes stories with substance, and this is no exception. A boy whose family trade is basket making learns how other folks look down on them as "bushwhackers" but learns to be proud of,and true to,who he is.

[Acacia Casner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a boy who dreams of becoming a basket maker like his father. He starts to question his dreams when he goes with his father to the city to sell the baskets. The boy's father and him fall victim to harsh realities of discrimination. Will the boy continue to follow his dreams?

[Tammy Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Making Meaning book that tells of the art of basket making in Hudson, New York back in the 1800's. Good for teaching memoir, and details.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basket Moon
by Mary Lyn Ray
the traditions and old ways come a life again

[Jessica Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, it was a quick grab at the library, which turned out to be a favorite!
"Those were some wise words his mom had" was the response my 8 yr old had after reading it. :)

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Meaning Resource Kit grade 4

I really liked this book! Students are going to be learning about a lot of different things starting this school year!