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Meet Me at the Moon
A heartwarming love story between mother and child
When Mama Elephant must leave Little One to ask the skies for rain, the young elephant is worried. Who will care for Little One? Who will sing Mama's special songs? When will she return?
Mama is very reassuring - Little One will hear her song on the wind and feel her love in the warmth of the sun, and, after the rains come, they will meet where the moon sets.
Exquisitely illustrated and supremely comforting, Meet Me at the Moon is a mother and child love story to be enjoyed again and again.
When Mama Elephant must leave Little One to ask the skies for rain, the young elephant is worried. Who will care for Little One? Who will sing Mama's special songs? When will she return?
Mama is very reassuring - Little One will hear her song on the wind and feel her love in the warmth of the sun, and, after the rains come, they will meet where the moon sets.
Exquisitely illustrated and supremely comforting, Meet Me at the Moon is a mother and child love story to be enjoyed again and again.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 29, 2012
47 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Gianna Marino
35 books43 followersGianna Marino was born in San Francisco and spent her early years galloping horses through Golden Gate Park. Her explorations expanded after graduating from high school and in order to afford her many journeys, Gianna had several jobs at once: apprenticing a muralist, a jewelry designer, a product designer and driving horse carriages through the park. Gianna explored many corners of the world, from Africa and Asia, to the South Pacific and Europe, to crewing on sailboats in the high seas. At work and school, she became known as “Boomerang”.
Gianna finally landed a full-time freelance gig designing toys for children, but after several years in a corporate box with no windows, she left for good and began writing and illustrating books for children.
Though she still wanders the world, Gianna now lives in Northern California and works full-time writing and illustrating.
Gianna finally landed a full-time freelance gig designing toys for children, but after several years in a corporate box with no windows, she left for good and began writing and illustrating books for children.
Though she still wanders the world, Gianna now lives in Northern California and works full-time writing and illustrating.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
January 4, 2013
3.5 STARS
First, I love the illustrations. They are adorable! I checked out this book based on the cover alone ;-) I especially love elephants, and Marino does a great job with these two.
The story itself I had mixed feelings about. On one hand, I love the message of love and the strong bond between the mother elephant and her little one. I think some of the ideas here could really help children whose parents travel or have to go away for a period of time as it shows how united the mother and child are and how they can find ways to stay connected such as looking at the same star, etc.
On the other hand, I wish it was more clear that the little one was left with other caring creatures. I think we might assume the giraffes and zebra are watching out for it, but they seem sort of distant. I think most children, even when they miss their parents, have other figures to help soothe them and maybe that could have been shown here, too.
Still, I think it would be well enjoyed by many and very useful for some.
First, I love the illustrations. They are adorable! I checked out this book based on the cover alone ;-) I especially love elephants, and Marino does a great job with these two.
The story itself I had mixed feelings about. On one hand, I love the message of love and the strong bond between the mother elephant and her little one. I think some of the ideas here could really help children whose parents travel or have to go away for a period of time as it shows how united the mother and child are and how they can find ways to stay connected such as looking at the same star, etc.
On the other hand, I wish it was more clear that the little one was left with other caring creatures. I think we might assume the giraffes and zebra are watching out for it, but they seem sort of distant. I think most children, even when they miss their parents, have other figures to help soothe them and maybe that could have been shown here, too.
Still, I think it would be well enjoyed by many and very useful for some.
September 28, 2017
3.5 out of 5
The best part about Meet Me at the Moon is Gianna Marino's textured and detailed illustrations colored with rich yet warm and soothing colors. The landscape-oriented full-bleed doublespreads effectively convey the vastness of the African plains and the immensity of the sky above them:
But although the story in this picturebook is sweet, it's not particularly interesting: a baby elephant, Little One, is anxious about her Mama leaving for a while; Mama offers all kinds of reassurances and some creative ways to stay connected, such as looking at the same star, and then leaves; at the end the two elephants reunite (of course). However, this picturebook might be comforting to children who are anxious about separating form their loved ones.
The best part about Meet Me at the Moon is Gianna Marino's textured and detailed illustrations colored with rich yet warm and soothing colors. The landscape-oriented full-bleed doublespreads effectively convey the vastness of the African plains and the immensity of the sky above them:
But although the story in this picturebook is sweet, it's not particularly interesting: a baby elephant, Little One, is anxious about her Mama leaving for a while; Mama offers all kinds of reassurances and some creative ways to stay connected, such as looking at the same star, and then leaves; at the end the two elephants reunite (of course). However, this picturebook might be comforting to children who are anxious about separating form their loved ones.
May 4, 2012
This is a sweet tale about separation and the love between a mother and child. This is particularly poignant for me as an active duty mom, since I have to leave our girls on a relatively frequent basis to go on missions. I am lucky that I haven't had to leave them for long periods so far, but even short separations can be difficult. I love that the mama elephant finds different ways throughout the day and night to remind her baby of her love. The narrative is simple and the illustrations are gorgeous. I love the soft, muted colors and the textures of the backgrounds. Overall, it's a very nice book for a mom to read with her children and we really enjoyed reading it together. Though not specifically about Mother's Day, it is a perfect time to read this book.
interesting quote:
"How will I know that you still love me?" asked Little One.
"I love you like the sun loves the earth," said Mama. "When you feel the warmth of the sun, I will be loving you from where I am." (p. 9)
interesting quote:
"How will I know that you still love me?" asked Little One.
"I love you like the sun loves the earth," said Mama. "When you feel the warmth of the sun, I will be loving you from where I am." (p. 9)
November 11, 2014
This is Caroline's favorite bedtime book. We Love it!
April 24, 2012
Because the land is dry, Mama tells Little One that she must leave him to ask the skies to send rain. Naturally, Little One is anxious about being separated from his mother, but she reassures him that he will be surrounded by her love even when she's away from him. If both of them stare up at the sky at night and find the brightest star of all, she tells him, they will be looking at the same star. After preparing him for her departure, Mama leaves her baby with the promise that they will meet each other "at the moon, where the sky touches the earth" (unpaginated). Little One waits through a drought and rain for Mama to return, and he comforts himself with her message. A strong message of familial love and the bond between parent and child fills the pages of this text, which is complemented with particularly lovely illustrations that show the land's beauty and the magic that fills the air when Mama and Little One trumpet their sounds of affection for one another.
March 25, 2013
The land is dry and Mama elephant sets out to find rain, leaving her Little One behind. Little One gets worried, wondering when she will return. Mama reassures Little One, "You will feel my love in everything around you" ... from the sun, the wind, and in the brightest twinkling star. And Mama tells Little One that they will meet again at the moon, when it sets, where the sky touches the earth.
A stunningly illustrated book, "Meet Me at the Moon" is a heart-warming story of handling the separation between a parent and child. When I initially flipped through the book, I was immediately taken by the warm, bold, earth-toned artwork by Gianna Marino. I read it to my two-year-old son who seemed to be just as captivated by the richness of the illustrations. The crisp lines and textured detail are awesome, as though you can almost touch the crackled elephant skin. The prose is lyrical and soothing, and I felt I was singing a lovely song while reading aloud to my son. As both a coparent and a stay-at-home parent heading back to work, the story is very touching for me, because I understand that sense of wanting to provide reassurance to a child for having to be away from him/her.
I highly recommend this gorgeous book, to read alone or to a child, as it is a symbolic reminder of the things parents do to help children cope with having to be apart from their loved ones.
A stunningly illustrated book, "Meet Me at the Moon" is a heart-warming story of handling the separation between a parent and child. When I initially flipped through the book, I was immediately taken by the warm, bold, earth-toned artwork by Gianna Marino. I read it to my two-year-old son who seemed to be just as captivated by the richness of the illustrations. The crisp lines and textured detail are awesome, as though you can almost touch the crackled elephant skin. The prose is lyrical and soothing, and I felt I was singing a lovely song while reading aloud to my son. As both a coparent and a stay-at-home parent heading back to work, the story is very touching for me, because I understand that sense of wanting to provide reassurance to a child for having to be away from him/her.
I highly recommend this gorgeous book, to read alone or to a child, as it is a symbolic reminder of the things parents do to help children cope with having to be apart from their loved ones.
April 8, 2012
When a mother elephant must leave to go to the highest mountain to ask for rain, she offers reassurance to her "little one" by using the natural gifts of the earth to celebrate their love.
A really nice picture book for this spring with natural "ladders" to Katherine Applegate's THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN and Lynne Kelly Hoenig's upcoming title, CHAINED.
The paintings in the book are absolutely beautiful, bringing the whole of the book together as a very nice package for younger readers. The paintings and their coloring remind of those one might use to create a very special nursery or child's room. Visiting Gianna Marino's website, I was able to see some of the prints from the book. The prints communicate the love in a way that really compliments or lends depth to the simplicity of the story that accompanies them.
I agree with other reviews that suggest that this title would make a nice pairing with classic titles like LOVE YOU FOREVER.
I like the archetypal feel of the book with the characters names simply Mama and Little One.
A really nice picture book for this spring with natural "ladders" to Katherine Applegate's THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN and Lynne Kelly Hoenig's upcoming title, CHAINED.
The paintings in the book are absolutely beautiful, bringing the whole of the book together as a very nice package for younger readers. The paintings and their coloring remind of those one might use to create a very special nursery or child's room. Visiting Gianna Marino's website, I was able to see some of the prints from the book. The prints communicate the love in a way that really compliments or lends depth to the simplicity of the story that accompanies them.
I agree with other reviews that suggest that this title would make a nice pairing with classic titles like LOVE YOU FOREVER.
I like the archetypal feel of the book with the characters names simply Mama and Little One.
August 9, 2016
Review via Cracking the Cover
The land is dry, and Mama must leave Little One to ask the skies for rain. It’s important, but Little One is worried and doesn’t want Mam to go. “You will feel my love in everything around you,” Mama reassures. In the wind, Mama will sing. Her love will be in the warmth of the sun; it will twinkle in the brightest star. And she promises they will be reunited in the moon, “where the sky touches the earth,” after the rains come.
“Meet Me at the Moon” is lovely both in word and art. Author/illustrator Gianna Marino perfectly captures the love between a mother and child, and gently broaches the subject of temporary separation. Exquisite illustrations in oranges, yellows and blues are a delight that you’ll want to peruse over and over again. This is one of my favorite picture books of the year. Make sure to add it to the top of your “to-own” list.
The land is dry, and Mama must leave Little One to ask the skies for rain. It’s important, but Little One is worried and doesn’t want Mam to go. “You will feel my love in everything around you,” Mama reassures. In the wind, Mama will sing. Her love will be in the warmth of the sun; it will twinkle in the brightest star. And she promises they will be reunited in the moon, “where the sky touches the earth,” after the rains come.
“Meet Me at the Moon” is lovely both in word and art. Author/illustrator Gianna Marino perfectly captures the love between a mother and child, and gently broaches the subject of temporary separation. Exquisite illustrations in oranges, yellows and blues are a delight that you’ll want to peruse over and over again. This is one of my favorite picture books of the year. Make sure to add it to the top of your “to-own” list.
June 6, 2012
Mama must leave Little One behind to "climb the highest mountain to ask the skies for rain." Little One worries that he/she won't be able to hear, see, or feel loved by his/her Mama. Little One also worries that Mama won't be able to find him/her again. Mama reassures Little One through song, wisdom, and love.
The illustrations are bright, appear textured, and have just enough detail to capture the beauty of the land, sky, and creatures. The text has a rhythmic flow and is soothing to be read aloud. Perfect for a bedtime book or to share with a child experiencing separation anxiety.
The illustrations are bright, appear textured, and have just enough detail to capture the beauty of the land, sky, and creatures. The text has a rhythmic flow and is soothing to be read aloud. Perfect for a bedtime book or to share with a child experiencing separation anxiety.
July 3, 2012
First time I read this I didn't like it at all. I did love the illustrations, but read it to my class because two librarians had shown it to me as their favorite from the bookfair. I compared it to Sara Weeks Without You which I love and explained how the animal science in Meet Me at the Moon didn't seem to ring true, which is why I liked Without You much better. After repeated reading I have grown to like Meet Me at the Moon, but it is still too sticky sweet for me.
June 10, 2014
While I wish the author had better explained exactly why the mama elephant had to leave her baby in order get the rain to come, the illustrations in this book are absolutely amazing. There are some amazing quotes about love, and I have to admit I cried while reading this! Extrapolations can be made about how sometimes parents have to leave their children in order to bring about better things (i.e., going to work, etc) but there will always be a special bond between mama and child.
August 25, 2017
This one fits into the "the kissing hand" type of genre. In other words, I always love you even when we're not together. It is one of those books that seems to be written to make parents sappy rather than to engage kids. Here's my grain of salt though: we don't deal with this idea much, I'm a mostly stay-at-home mom. If I had a kid who was separated from me for a prolonged time or at regular intervals, I'd give it another go. But I prefer The Kissing Hand over this one.
May 21, 2013
I really want to give this book 3.5 stars so I rounded it up to 4. I really, really liked it, but didn't completely love it. It has beautiful art and is a touching story about the love between a mother and baby elephant. I think most people will love this story, but it was just a bit too sappy for my tastes. That said, I do recommend this story. It's a perfect bedtime read.
April 11, 2012
I probably would love this so much more if I haven't felt like I read something similar 50+ times before.
April 30, 2012
Excellent, beautiful illustrations. Loved the texture and colors and composition. Unfortuately, the plot is trite and sappy.
November 25, 2012
I love elephants, I love the cover of this book, but the theme is so familiar it was kind of hard to get excited about the story.
October 17, 2018
A little too cheesey for me, but I can see it might be helpful for a child whose parent might be going on a business trip. I like the illustrations.
June 12, 2020
The illustrations are five stars, loved them. The story was fine but it won’t be a repeat read.
February 15, 2019
While the theme behind the book is very sweet, the book seems poorly put together in my opinion. It would be a sweet story to read with your child, but I can't see you being able to (from a teacher standpoint) make a lesson out of the book or give a really good answer as to why you should read the book in entirety.
February 9, 2022
Library challenge- read a (mostly) red cover
August 16, 2017
Literature genre: Picturebook
Pre-K to 2
Meet Me at the Moon is gorgeously illustrated, but it’s greatest strength lies in the theme and writing. The book is meant for little ones and addresses the uncertainty and dread that children feel when a parent goes away.
Momma Elephant must leave the water hole and her baby behind as she walks to the top of the highest mountain to petition the skies for much needed rain. Little One is upset. Who will sing to me? How will I hear you? How will you get back?
The beautiful pictures of the African plain and the other inhabitants near the water hole add to the intensity of feeling in the book. Little One gets what he needs from the other animals, while he waits anxiously for Mother to return.
This lovely book helps to alleviate the loss of separation, even for human little ones who are missing mother over the course of a day of preschool. Separation and return are important issues to children who are unable to project forward in time to a loved one’s return. This calming and comforting story is a great way to reassure them.
Reunion at the moon and the calling song are just two of the tools Mother uses to keep her Little One wrapped up in safety and protected by her love.
Pre-K to 2
Meet Me at the Moon is gorgeously illustrated, but it’s greatest strength lies in the theme and writing. The book is meant for little ones and addresses the uncertainty and dread that children feel when a parent goes away.
Momma Elephant must leave the water hole and her baby behind as she walks to the top of the highest mountain to petition the skies for much needed rain. Little One is upset. Who will sing to me? How will I hear you? How will you get back?
The beautiful pictures of the African plain and the other inhabitants near the water hole add to the intensity of feeling in the book. Little One gets what he needs from the other animals, while he waits anxiously for Mother to return.
This lovely book helps to alleviate the loss of separation, even for human little ones who are missing mother over the course of a day of preschool. Separation and return are important issues to children who are unable to project forward in time to a loved one’s return. This calming and comforting story is a great way to reassure them.
Reunion at the moon and the calling song are just two of the tools Mother uses to keep her Little One wrapped up in safety and protected by her love.
May 23, 2012
4.5 stars
An adorable story about the love of a mother and baby elephant. As the mother elephant is preparing to take a journey to go ask the sky for rain, she re-assures her baby elephant that she will come back to him and reminds him of all the things he can look for to be reminded of her love for him until she returns to him. This is a story that young kids will be able to relate to as they see the love the mother and baby have for each other, read about baby elephants unease for his mother leaving, his worry when she doesn't return right away and his joy when she does return. I LOVE the illustrations in this book! Aside from the cute story, the pictures alone depict the story perfectly. If you're a picture book fan, I recommend adding this book to your bookshelf.
An adorable story about the love of a mother and baby elephant. As the mother elephant is preparing to take a journey to go ask the sky for rain, she re-assures her baby elephant that she will come back to him and reminds him of all the things he can look for to be reminded of her love for him until she returns to him. This is a story that young kids will be able to relate to as they see the love the mother and baby have for each other, read about baby elephants unease for his mother leaving, his worry when she doesn't return right away and his joy when she does return. I LOVE the illustrations in this book! Aside from the cute story, the pictures alone depict the story perfectly. If you're a picture book fan, I recommend adding this book to your bookshelf.
February 22, 2013
Best for kids ages 2 and up
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Vocabulary, Narrative Skills
From cover:
"I love you like the sun oves the earth," said Mama. "When you feel the warmth of the sun, I will be loving you from where I am."
Little One is loved, but also worried. Mama must go away for a while and Little One needs reassurance. What if Little One can't hear Mama while she is gone? What if Little One can't see Mama? What if Mama can't find Little One again?
Mama has answers to all these questions, showing Little One how to watch the night sky and listen to the wind and finally, how they will find each other again where the sky touches the earth.
Beautiful, bold, watercolor illustration are a perfect pairing to this wonderful story. Great for bedtime or anytime.
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Vocabulary, Narrative Skills
From cover:
"I love you like the sun oves the earth," said Mama. "When you feel the warmth of the sun, I will be loving you from where I am."
Little One is loved, but also worried. Mama must go away for a while and Little One needs reassurance. What if Little One can't hear Mama while she is gone? What if Little One can't see Mama? What if Mama can't find Little One again?
Mama has answers to all these questions, showing Little One how to watch the night sky and listen to the wind and finally, how they will find each other again where the sky touches the earth.
Beautiful, bold, watercolor illustration are a perfect pairing to this wonderful story. Great for bedtime or anytime.
March 23, 2015
I fell in love with this book. This story is about a mama elephant and a baby elephant. The mama elephant has to leave so she can climb the highest mountain to ask the sky for rain. The baby elephant is afraid that she will forget about him and wants to know how he will know she is there with him. She tells him several things, then he asks how he will find her and she tells him to meet her at the moon when it touches the Earth. The journey begins and the baby elephant remembers everything mama elephant told him, and even though he missed her he could feel her love. At the end, mama and baby are reunited at the moon. This would be a great book to read aloud to students or for them to read to their mama on Mother’s Day.
December 16, 2015
So in my defense, I'm really tired today. But yes, this made me tear up a little bit. I was a military brat. Between the ages of 3 and 6, I didn't see my dad very much. To this day, the easiest way to get me to cry happy tears is to show me a video of soldiers returning home to their kids. Meet Me at the Moon at the same effect on me. Plus it's about elephants. And I LOVE ELEPHANTS. (almost as much as bears.) The illustrations are goregeous too. I think every kid needs a "mommy loves you *this much*" book in their collection. Mine was Mama Do You Love Me? My brother's was I'll Love You Forever. (Talk about tears, am I right?) If you're a military parent or a parent who travels a lot, this book would be perfect for you and your little one.
March 9, 2013
Since we're studying African animals and habitats, and this book has beautiful supportive illustrations, I read this out loud to enhance their comprehension of African Elephants and the Savanna. They have been confused between African and Asian Elephants, and this book seemed to get them over this "hump" to easily understand what African Elephants are. I am giving it 4 out of 5 stars, though, because the plot is confusing. It is never clear if the mother elephant resolves the problem, or if it resolves naturally. The children sensed this awkwardness in the story, but immensely enjoyed the illustrations.
March 17, 2015
This book would be a very nice book for a parent that will have to leave their child for a while (traveling, in the military or even if the parent is critically ill) This book lets "Little One" a baby elephant know that when his Momma has to leave to go find water due to the dessert being so dry that he can still know she's with him. By looking at the same stars, feeling the wind knowing her love is carried on the wind etc. When he gets to missing her he remembers all the things she told him to remember and he doesn't feel as lonely and alone. The illustrations are wonderfully drawn as well they can tell the story even without the written words. A very special child's book.
July 19, 2012
Mama elephant has to leave her baby elephant behind in order to ask the skies for rain, so she gives her baby several ways to feel her presence despite her absence. Then of course she comes back. The end. Very cute and cuddly mommy book but also to note is that this book is B-E-A-U-TEE-FUL. I love the texture of the artist's paper that you can see on the book's pages, I love the blending and shading of the colors, the animals are beautiful! I can't get enough of the page where mama is leaving and baby is surrounded by gorgeously rendered giraffes.
July 20, 2012
Absolutely gorgeous artwork, incredibly bad storyline as far as the true nature of elephants. Elephants don't leave their babies alone, they are herd animals with a strong sense of community. Most importantly, elephants don't make rain...lots of misinformation to give young children who are impressionable and believe what they hear. The elephants who fit this storyline should be drawn in a more Dumbo-esque style - these elephants need a more believeable story!
Five stars for artwork, one star for storyline.
Five stars for artwork, one star for storyline.
October 2, 2014
Read this at Paulina Springs Bookstore in Sisters.
I enjoyed it but I wanted it to be better. The illustrations were quite good and did a lot to tell the story despite the few words actually used. It is the eternal story of a mother's love for her child told through the vehicle of elephants in Africa but the story, while, good, is simplistic. I understand it is for young children but they can grasp far more depth than most adults realize. It was simplistic and bordering on sappy. If it had been even a little less simplistic I would have bought it.
I enjoyed it but I wanted it to be better. The illustrations were quite good and did a lot to tell the story despite the few words actually used. It is the eternal story of a mother's love for her child told through the vehicle of elephants in Africa but the story, while, good, is simplistic. I understand it is for young children but they can grasp far more depth than most adults realize. It was simplistic and bordering on sappy. If it had been even a little less simplistic I would have bought it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews