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Guardians of Childhood #1
El hombre de la Luna
El Hombre de la Luna no siempre ha sido un hombre, ni siempre ha estado en la Luna. Hace mucho tiempo fue pequeño, hasta que una batalla contra el malvado Sombra, el Rey de las Pesadillas, lo dejó huérfano y le empujó a una aventura que le convertiría en el primer Guardián de la Infancia.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2010
65 people are currently reading
5893 people want to read
About the author
William Joyce
165 books1,500 followersWilliam Joyce does a lot of stuff—films, apps, Olympic curling—but children’s books are his true bailiwick (The Numberlys, The Man in the Moon, Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King, Toothiana, and the #1 New York Times bestselling The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, which is also an Academy Award–winning short film, to name a few). He lives with his family in Shreveport, Louisiana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 535 reviews
September 18, 2018
This Guardians of Childhood series is so fantastic. I read the Sandman first and now this is the Man in the moon. William is creating new modern myths with some of the most beautiful artwork. His work brings magic to life. Children can feel this awesome light beneath the surface as they read his book. I want to own this series as they are so fantastic and I can only ask why hasn't William Joyce won some Caldecott's. Why wasn't this on the list. This is one of the best things I have read and several of Williams books are worthy of being recognized.
Why does the moon glow? Sure the sun reflects off the moon, that is a great explanation. Having a guardian who protects our dreams as we sleep is also important to consider as it stokes our imagination, gives us hope and makes us feel protected in some way. I love this book. I'm giving few details on purpose because simply go read it.
Both the the kids were engrossed in this story. They loved the pictures and the story. They both gave it 5 stars. I think this story helps the imagination burn brighter and stoke our powers to dream big things. So I hope the kids can dream big beautiful dreams tonight.
I love this from the book:
"We will watch over the children of Earth, Guide them safely from the ways of harm, Keep happy their hearts, brave their souls, and rosy their cheeks. We will guard with our lives their hopes and dreams, For they are all that we have, all that we are, And all that we will ever be." - William Joyce
Why does the moon glow? Sure the sun reflects off the moon, that is a great explanation. Having a guardian who protects our dreams as we sleep is also important to consider as it stokes our imagination, gives us hope and makes us feel protected in some way. I love this book. I'm giving few details on purpose because simply go read it.
Both the the kids were engrossed in this story. They loved the pictures and the story. They both gave it 5 stars. I think this story helps the imagination burn brighter and stoke our powers to dream big things. So I hope the kids can dream big beautiful dreams tonight.
I love this from the book:
"We will watch over the children of Earth, Guide them safely from the ways of harm, Keep happy their hearts, brave their souls, and rosy their cheeks. We will guard with our lives their hopes and dreams, For they are all that we have, all that we are, And all that we will ever be." - William Joyce
July 15, 2018
Man in the Moon, or MiM, is a childhood guardian. This is the myth of MiM from his childhood to adulthood. It is the tale of how the moon came into being as the guardian of children's dreams. It explains how the moon glows brightly. It points out the distant face on the moon's surface and how it was formed.
The gorgeous artwork is intricate. Reading this book aloud to students would be a good introduction to myths and to imagination. This debut is beautifully written and illustrated. It would be a splendid edition to any personal library.
The gorgeous artwork is intricate. Reading this book aloud to students would be a good introduction to myths and to imagination. This debut is beautifully written and illustrated. It would be a splendid edition to any personal library.
September 7, 2011
What a fabulous, beautifully illustrated book that tells a unique story about the man in the moon. This is one of those books that reads like a movie you'd want to take your kids to see. I'm not sure what I was drawn more towards, the absolutely amazing artwork or the fantastic story.
Have you ever wondered who or what lived on the moon? William Joyce's debut The Man in The Moon not only introduces to the jolly man who lives there (nope I'm not talking Santa Claus), he'll also tell you how he got there. We're huge fans of the moon in our home, and I can say for certainty that next time we're looking up at the moon, we'll all be looking for the wonderful man in the moon, the guardian of children.
This book is a beautiful, creative story that will allow your children's imaginations to sore. I'm definitely not a kid, and this book appealed to my inner child. I thoroughly enjoyed being whisked away in this whimsical story. This is a book I'd highly recommend adding to your personal library collection or school libraries.
Have you ever wondered who or what lived on the moon? William Joyce's debut The Man in The Moon not only introduces to the jolly man who lives there (nope I'm not talking Santa Claus), he'll also tell you how he got there. We're huge fans of the moon in our home, and I can say for certainty that next time we're looking up at the moon, we'll all be looking for the wonderful man in the moon, the guardian of children.
This book is a beautiful, creative story that will allow your children's imaginations to sore. I'm definitely not a kid, and this book appealed to my inner child. I thoroughly enjoyed being whisked away in this whimsical story. This is a book I'd highly recommend adding to your personal library collection or school libraries.
August 25, 2011
I saw William Joyce speak at the ALA Conference in June 2011. He talked quite a bit about the development of this book, it is the first book he's written in about fifteen years. He spoke in-depth about how he had cultivated the mythology of Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and others, for his children and how it made this book quite personal. Added to this was the fact that Mr. Joyce was developing the premise for this book during illness of his daughter and her subsequent death, gives this book an added depth and beauty. Though let's be honest if you didn't know this heartbreaking back story, you would still find the book visually stunning. It is beautiful. Detailed, saturated colors, and just lovely.
There are at least two more books in the series coming out in the next year covering Nicholas St. North and E. Aster Bunny. And as this book did a lot of exposition I'm excited to see more storytelling. Get this book, and every subsequent book. Don't ask questions, just go forth and purchase.
There are at least two more books in the series coming out in the next year covering Nicholas St. North and E. Aster Bunny. And as this book did a lot of exposition I'm excited to see more storytelling. Get this book, and every subsequent book. Don't ask questions, just go forth and purchase.
June 3, 2013
Does this not rather speak for itself?
*5 Stars*
Scorecard: (Out of 10)
* Quality of Writing - 10
* Pace - 9
* Plot development - 9
* Characters - 9
* Enjoyability - 10
* Insightfulness - 10
* Ease of Reading - 10
* Photos/Illustrations - 10 (wish it could be higher!)
Final Score: 77/80 = 96%
*The Gush*
As stated in my Nicholas St. North review, I had no knowledge of this series until the movie was being advertised and only watched the DVD a month and some ago. I immediately fell in love with what the author was trying to do and sought out the books to see what he’d already done with these retellings and revitalizations of familiar figures of our childhood. What I found in the Santa Claus chapter book impressed me and when I had the chance to check out the picture books, I did. I am soooo thankful I did as these might be some of the best picture books I’ve seen in years.
In the movie, Man in Moon (MiM) as North calls him, is an enigma; a shadowy figure who they know much about but the viewer ignorant of the books knows little about. So I was very excited to pierce the shadow, so to speak, surrounding this seemingly important character.
*NOTE* I found it intriguing that in the first illustrated page of the first book that came out, Jack Frost is prominently shown even though he’s first appearance is as far as I know in the movie that came out after this. Planning in advance, nice.The story itself is presented simply but there is much to be learned. We learn about his happy early childhood with his parents and his friend Nightlight as they fly across the galaxy in their Moon Clipper which turns into a moon at rest. Nightlight guarded MIM’s dreams, keeping him safe from nightmares – the first Guardian. However Pitch, the King of Nightmares is after them and manages to be stopped only at great cost, leaving MiM alone but for the Moonbots, Glow Worms, and Moonmice. The rest of the story chronicles how he grows up and comes to care for the green and blue planet below him and its people.
I can’t decide which characteristic of the book is better, the writing or the illustrations. I’m leaning towards the latter as they are some of the most expressive and detailed pictures I’ve seen in a while. They have a richness and depth that recent treads in picture books have moved away from and I have to say I have missed. I love simplicity but these tales need that age and richness the artwork bestows. His choice to have pictures with Pitch in black and white (they look like charcoal) while most of the others are brightly colored paintings or if sketches more bluish or other colors is interesting. The only time this does not hold true is one small sketch with children on Earth. It is not until a major plot point when Earth brightens. The illustrations alone could tell the tale.
Yet the text is gorgeous. Simple enough that an older child would have no problem reading It nor young children listening to it but it has a beauty in how it’s written. There are scary times but they are acknowledged and then the fear’s power is lessened. There are plenty of happy times however with MiM growing up with the Glow Worms, Moonbots, etc. and his connection to the children below.
Don’t spoil it if I learn about it later but I was intrigued to find Mother Goose in the picture with the other Guardians. I was raised on nearly all her nursery rhymes, even the ones most people have never heard. So she was a ‘guardian’ I was very close to as a child.
How MiM ultimately helps the children of Earth was awesome and gives a new meaning to the full moon. With all the Guardians to help him, the children can be protected and comforted from the dark.
*The Rant*
Where was this when I was young?
*Conclusion*
A lovely story that not only revitalizes myths and personifications of ideas, etc. from childhood, but gives children the idea that the creepy crawlies that infect the darkness have enemies and they bring light that keep the nightmares and fearlings at bay. The perfect bedtime story.
September 30, 2015
Muuuito lindo. O livro conta a história do homem da Lua de forma pouco detalhada, Esperava um pouco mais de introdução ao personagem. Mas é um livro pequeno, totalmente ilustrado e que se direciona a um público bem mais jovem que os livros "guardiões da infâncias". Mas adorei apreciar as ilustrações do William Joyce que são simplesmente maravilhosas. Esse homem é demais.
April 12, 2018
Meh. This is one of those books that everyone else seems to love and I just don’t get the appeal. I didn’t like the illustrations. I didn’t like the plot. It was too long and even though the description makes it sound like my kind of thing, it just didn’t “do” it for me.
May 1, 2019
Beautiful illustrations and a story that almost made me cry at parts. A very enjoyable, innocent, wonderful story.
November 18, 2022
Un muy tierno inicio, hace tanto tiempo que quiero leer está saga de libros y por fin se ha dado la oportunidad
December 4, 2017
William Joyce is one of my favorite children’s authors of all time! His stories are creative and whimsical and full of magic and beautiful illustrations!
November 18, 2012
The Man in the Moon is the first book in The Guardians of Childhood series and tells a beautiful story that is sad at times and incredibly beautiful in its entirety. I always find Joyce's books to have the most stunning imagery and I love the out of this world tone of the illustrations in this one. This is the tale of how a little boy, a child aboard the ship the Moon Clipper surrounded by family and friends, became the Man in the Moon (MiM) and gathered up all the Guardians of Childhood.
This tale starts off perfectly happy but once Pitch, the King of Nightmares, finds out that this boy has never had a nightmare he vows to make the boy his own and deem him the Prince of Nightmares. In the outcome of the battle the boy is left alone on the moon to be raised by the Moonbots, Moonmice and giant Glowworms who were also left behind. As he grows, he discovers the planet Earth through his father's telescope & realises that there are children on the far away planet that are much like him. As the children's lost balloons float up to him he finds that he can hear their hopes and dreams if he held them to his ear.
Once MiM sets about his mission of making the children of Earth happy I got really lost in the story. The tale brings together Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and many other familiar childhood figures. It even tells how MiM set about lighting up the moon so the children of Earth never had to be afraid of the night again. My children absolutely loved the appearance of all the figures and it definitely got them asking questions about each of them. We all hope that there will be a book for each Guardian and will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of more books!
You can read all of my reviews at Alluring Reads.
This tale starts off perfectly happy but once Pitch, the King of Nightmares, finds out that this boy has never had a nightmare he vows to make the boy his own and deem him the Prince of Nightmares. In the outcome of the battle the boy is left alone on the moon to be raised by the Moonbots, Moonmice and giant Glowworms who were also left behind. As he grows, he discovers the planet Earth through his father's telescope & realises that there are children on the far away planet that are much like him. As the children's lost balloons float up to him he finds that he can hear their hopes and dreams if he held them to his ear.
Once MiM sets about his mission of making the children of Earth happy I got really lost in the story. The tale brings together Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and many other familiar childhood figures. It even tells how MiM set about lighting up the moon so the children of Earth never had to be afraid of the night again. My children absolutely loved the appearance of all the figures and it definitely got them asking questions about each of them. We all hope that there will be a book for each Guardian and will be anxiously awaiting the arrival of more books!
You can read all of my reviews at Alluring Reads.
November 14, 2019
The first of Williams Joyce's Guardians of Childhood picture-book series - there is also a middle-grade novel series devoted to these characters, beginning with
Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King
- this engaging work of fantasy for younger children sets out the story of the eponymous Man in the Moon. Opening when MiM is still an infant, sailing the cosmos with his parents in their beautiful ship, The Moon Clipper, it chronicles his family's battle with the evil Pitch, King of Nightmares, which leaves him orphaned in space, on a vessel that will eventually become Earth's moon. Here MiM grows up, eventually discovering the children on the planet below, and founding an order of guardians to protect them.
The artwork in The Man in the Moon is just gorgeous! Joyce's use of color is inspired, and his lush paintings draw the reader into the fantastic world he has created in his story. With decorative endpapers depicting the folding up of The Moon Clipper, and beautiful interior illustrations - whether full-page, double-page, or inset on a page with text - this is a true visual treat! The story itself is also engaging, although I do wonder whether it would have been quite as appealing, without the beautiful illustrations. Recommended to anyone looking for fantasy narratives for younger children - perhaps those children not yet ready for the novels about the same set of characters - as well as to fans of Joyce's artwork.
The artwork in The Man in the Moon is just gorgeous! Joyce's use of color is inspired, and his lush paintings draw the reader into the fantastic world he has created in his story. With decorative endpapers depicting the folding up of The Moon Clipper, and beautiful interior illustrations - whether full-page, double-page, or inset on a page with text - this is a true visual treat! The story itself is also engaging, although I do wonder whether it would have been quite as appealing, without the beautiful illustrations. Recommended to anyone looking for fantasy narratives for younger children - perhaps those children not yet ready for the novels about the same set of characters - as well as to fans of Joyce's artwork.
November 23, 2012
4.5 stars
I thought this book was absolutely magical. The illustrations were so incredible. The author William Joyce created one of my favorite Playhouse Disney shows Rolie Polie Olie. I used to watch it with my niece when she was 2 yrs. old (the good ol' days). He has created this fantastical world about the character the Man in the Moon. As I was reading this book I was thinking "this should really be made into a movie". I checked out BN.com and they stated that Dreamworks is currently producing/filming this series (more books will be created about persons of legend). The story is engaging and captivating. What I really liked about this book was that it was slightly edgy without being too scary. Many children's books are leaning towards "how far can we get away with scaring kids". This one thankfully did not. It keeps both adult and child amused. I thought it was a great story; I wish I could have given it 5 stars but towards the end it got a little off track and wandered a bit. I do recommend this book. The one thing that completely elevates this book is the illustrations; masterful work.
I thought this book was absolutely magical. The illustrations were so incredible. The author William Joyce created one of my favorite Playhouse Disney shows Rolie Polie Olie. I used to watch it with my niece when she was 2 yrs. old (the good ol' days). He has created this fantastical world about the character the Man in the Moon. As I was reading this book I was thinking "this should really be made into a movie". I checked out BN.com and they stated that Dreamworks is currently producing/filming this series (more books will be created about persons of legend). The story is engaging and captivating. What I really liked about this book was that it was slightly edgy without being too scary. Many children's books are leaning towards "how far can we get away with scaring kids". This one thankfully did not. It keeps both adult and child amused. I thought it was a great story; I wish I could have given it 5 stars but towards the end it got a little off track and wandered a bit. I do recommend this book. The one thing that completely elevates this book is the illustrations; masterful work.
September 19, 2018
This review is for those reading the book to children age 4 and under. My daughter, age 4, picked up the book at the library and we flipped through. I loved the poetic style and she was drawn to the fascinating pictures, but we quickly agreed that it was "too scary" (her words) and put it back. I also noticed that unlike the mystical quality of most fairy tales, this one presents the Man in the Moon as part of history. Of course it is so fantastical that a regular person wouldn't fall for that, but a four year old would. I would have had to explain that the book was "using imagination" and had absolutely nothing to do with what really what began at the beginning of the world, and that's just a downer. Maybe we'll try this one again when she's older!
November 28, 2015
No me gustó tanto como el libro ilustrado de Sandy pero aaay :((
Todos estos libros tienen la capacidad de hacerte sentir cosas muy especiales y extrañas en el corazón. Necesito saber más de este universo creado por william joyce y lo necesito YAAAA. No puedo expresar mis sentimientos con palabras, solo diré que estos libros por mucho son mi saga favorita :´))
*Llora porque estos libros le hacen sentir que los sueños si se hacen realidad.
Todos estos libros tienen la capacidad de hacerte sentir cosas muy especiales y extrañas en el corazón. Necesito saber más de este universo creado por william joyce y lo necesito YAAAA. No puedo expresar mis sentimientos con palabras, solo diré que estos libros por mucho son mi saga favorita :´))
*Llora porque estos libros le hacen sentir que los sueños si se hacen realidad.
October 14, 2018
This is SUCH a clever idea and the artwork is absolutely stunning. It should get five star for that alone, but somehow, the book just left me feeling cold. I wish it'd been for older readers. This might have been a really cool concept if more fleshed out.
May 26, 2011
The illustrations in this book are beautiful. The story interesting. A different perspective on the concept of the Man in the Moon.
September 30, 2018
Not gonna lie.
It took me longer than it should have to figure out who the lady riding the goose was...
Want to read
July 10, 2019did I add this because I'm obsessed with the animated movie?? of course
August 14, 2022
Well, this is DEFINITELY one of the best picture books I’ve ever read in my life. Thanks to my best friend, Jenny for introducing me to this series. I can’t wait to read more!
January 29, 2026
Es una historia muy interesante anterior a la película más conocida, siempre me duele que sea tan infravalorado pero está muy bonita la historia.
July 8, 2014
Fun fact: I started two books last night, this and The Lathe of Heaven. And although I don't normally read blurbs on dust jackets, in these case I did. And both of these books are blurbed by Michael Chabon, whom I adore. And I had just finished reading a blog post about the wedding of Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer celebrated January 1, 2010 in the home of Chabon and Ayelet Waldman (whom I also adore). My daughter, who adores Joyce and Gaiman as much as I do, was equally enchanted by this confluence.
Okay, here's the setup: a small family are traveling the universe in their marvelous moon ship, they are attacked, and the baby is left in earth orbit with the glowworms, the lunar moths, the moon mice and the moonbots, He grows up to be the Man in the Moon, looking down on the children of earth through a marvelous telescope, and doing what he can to make their childhoods better. To that end he assembles his super team.
The elaborate backstory explaining why the moon glows at night among other mysteries is charming. But that's not the draw. Joyce creates some of the most richly imagined art I've ever seen. MiM exists in a world of costumed mice and robots, a marvelous mashup of visual elements from the entire universe of children's books. Check this one out just to gawp at the art.
Library copy.
Okay, here's the setup: a small family are traveling the universe in their marvelous moon ship, they are attacked, and the baby is left in earth orbit with the glowworms, the lunar moths, the moon mice and the moonbots, He grows up to be the Man in the Moon, looking down on the children of earth through a marvelous telescope, and doing what he can to make their childhoods better. To that end he assembles his super team.
The elaborate backstory explaining why the moon glows at night among other mysteries is charming. But that's not the draw. Joyce creates some of the most richly imagined art I've ever seen. MiM exists in a world of costumed mice and robots, a marvelous mashup of visual elements from the entire universe of children's books. Check this one out just to gawp at the art.
Library copy.
Read
February 16, 2014Opening: Tonight is a full moon folks. You know what they say about full moons? You can see a face on the moon when it's full, the face of the Man in the Moon. But imagine if the moon wasn't always there. What if there were a baby, perfectly innocent, who had never had a nightmare in all his life. In the book Man in the Moon, the wonderful William Joyce is back with a story about how the moon came to be, and how the man in the moon ended up there.
Opening Moves: Prompt to anticipate favorite author, raise interest in a topic or theme, provide important background information, draw attention to the setting, lay groundwork for helping understand theme, raise questions to spark curiosity, invite personal connections, raise questions in readers' minds
Reasoning: One of the more advanced books I've provided for this set, the man in the moon has the most established and fantastical mythology of all the books in my text-set. Rather than taking normal situations and giving them fantasy elements, this book provides a thoroughly realized universe with interesting characters to provide a back story for a classic concept, the face on a full moon.
Review: ( October 01, 2011) School Library Journal. http://www.booksinprint.com/DetailedV...
Opening Moves: Prompt to anticipate favorite author, raise interest in a topic or theme, provide important background information, draw attention to the setting, lay groundwork for helping understand theme, raise questions to spark curiosity, invite personal connections, raise questions in readers' minds
Reasoning: One of the more advanced books I've provided for this set, the man in the moon has the most established and fantastical mythology of all the books in my text-set. Rather than taking normal situations and giving them fantasy elements, this book provides a thoroughly realized universe with interesting characters to provide a back story for a classic concept, the face on a full moon.
Review: ( October 01, 2011) School Library Journal. http://www.booksinprint.com/DetailedV...
October 5, 2013
Title / Author / Publication Date: The Man in the Moon/William Joyce/2011
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Plot summary: In the first of his new Guardians of Childhood series, Joyce introduces the original guardian, MiM, the Man in the Moon. In glorious, colorful detail, readers are invited to imagine the Earth’s moon as a space age shipwreck, and the origin of bad dreams as the work of Pitch, King of the Nightmares. MiM’s fondest memories are of his devoted friend Nightlight, who sprinkled him with Dreamsand as an infant, and it is Nightlight who inspires MiM to become guardian to the hopes and dreams of all the children of Earth, but of course MiM will need help--from a toymaker, a fairy, a rabbit, and others like them. The Man in the Moon captures the wonder of childhood in a visual masterpiece that is to be treasured by readers of all ages.
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory: N/A
Review citation: Barthelmess, T. (2011). The Man in the Moon. Booklist, 108(3), 95.
Section source used to find the material: Children's Core Collection, Most Highly Recommended
Recommended age: K-3
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Plot summary: In the first of his new Guardians of Childhood series, Joyce introduces the original guardian, MiM, the Man in the Moon. In glorious, colorful detail, readers are invited to imagine the Earth’s moon as a space age shipwreck, and the origin of bad dreams as the work of Pitch, King of the Nightmares. MiM’s fondest memories are of his devoted friend Nightlight, who sprinkled him with Dreamsand as an infant, and it is Nightlight who inspires MiM to become guardian to the hopes and dreams of all the children of Earth, but of course MiM will need help--from a toymaker, a fairy, a rabbit, and others like them. The Man in the Moon captures the wonder of childhood in a visual masterpiece that is to be treasured by readers of all ages.
Considerations or precautions for readers advisory: N/A
Review citation: Barthelmess, T. (2011). The Man in the Moon. Booklist, 108(3), 95.
Section source used to find the material: Children's Core Collection, Most Highly Recommended
Recommended age: K-3
October 6, 2011
I am so very grateful that the bland computer animation of ROLIE POLIE OLIE has gone away. Joyce's beautiful painted work has always been the hallmark of his most beloved books, and it is nice to see the charm and strength of the work return.
Having said that, I have a few complaints:
1) I often feel like there are pages missing from Joyce's books. Given that this was "20 years in the making" according to the jacket, I would expect it to be a little tighter. Granted, it IS a picture book. But picture books need some coherence.
2) There is a movie tie-in with this book, and I'm not sure the pleasant "let's support the imagination of kids by commercializing their experience" is the most sincere way to reinforce that idea.
3) This is really only an introduction to the concept with no real story other than "the gathering of the troops." And that's fine, albeit a little disappointing in the sense of the "to be continued"/ "buy more books" mentality of it all.
Having said that, I have a few complaints:
1) I often feel like there are pages missing from Joyce's books. Given that this was "20 years in the making" according to the jacket, I would expect it to be a little tighter. Granted, it IS a picture book. But picture books need some coherence.
2) There is a movie tie-in with this book, and I'm not sure the pleasant "let's support the imagination of kids by commercializing their experience" is the most sincere way to reinforce that idea.
3) This is really only an introduction to the concept with no real story other than "the gathering of the troops." And that's fine, albeit a little disappointing in the sense of the "to be continued"/ "buy more books" mentality of it all.
June 12, 2019
I had seen this book somewhere online and decided I wanted to read it and then forgot about it. Today, while I was walking into the Children's section of the library, I saw it on display and immediately picked it up. Words alone cannot describe how much I absolutely love this book, the concept and the illustrations! The whole premise of the book (and the upcoming series) is that the Man in the Moon (MiM for short) is the first of the Guardians of Childhood. He creates the other Guardians after losing his family and being raised by servants on the moon, and discovering that other children like him lived on the Earth. These Guardians include Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman and Mother Goose. He makes them vow to "watch over the children of Earth, guide them safely from the ways of harm...guard with our lives their hopes and dreams." Highly recommended for older kids ages 5-10, 5 stars. Can't wait to start the rest of the series!
September 25, 2011
With stunning illustrations filled with every color imaginable, many with dark hues, tints and tones,William Joyce provides the back story for the Man in the Moon (MiM). As a baby, his life was joyous, and he never had a nightmare, which angered Pitch, the King of Nightmares. Pitch decides to give the baby a nightmare, and Mim loses his parents and his protector in the ensuing battle. Afterward, the moon creatures take care of him, and he uses sand to brighten the moon's surface so children on Earth will be comforted. The casual references to the other Guardians--they will be the focus of future books--left me a bit disoriented and thinking that I might like this title more once I read all the books together. I loved the names of some of the young MiM's favoirte foods: Lunar Ice Cream, Comet Surprise, Space Juice Nectarine.
September 23, 2011
Both of my boys loved this book. I can't even put my finger on why I wasn't crazy about it. I've always found William Joyce agreeable, but it is too much like somebody rambling off a bedtime story without a really clear direction of where he was taking us. Or, maybe it was more like a poor movie adaptation of a great story that I hadn't read yet. I must be missing something, but have no clue what it might be. It is a visually stunning book however. I will try the others in the planned series.
March 20, 2012
OMG!!! William Joyce is seriously brilliant. There is no way that I could summarize or review this book and do it justice. But...I will still try.
The Man in the Moon (MiM) began as a baby. Nightlight served as his guardian and protected him from the great darkness. As MiM grows older he thinks about all the children on Earth and decides that they also need a guardian...many guardians but MiM will be the first.
The illustrations are remarkable and follow Joyce's signature style of vivid color, 3-D like art, shapes, robots, capturing action, etc.
A must read for all!
The Man in the Moon (MiM) began as a baby. Nightlight served as his guardian and protected him from the great darkness. As MiM grows older he thinks about all the children on Earth and decides that they also need a guardian...many guardians but MiM will be the first.
The illustrations are remarkable and follow Joyce's signature style of vivid color, 3-D like art, shapes, robots, capturing action, etc.
A must read for all!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 535 reviews