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Moongirl

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One night, when Leon is busy fishing, the moon turns black. No more moon means no more romance and no more dreams! As Leon cast his line one final time - "Holey moley!" - he snags an enormous catfish made of stars and is dragged off up to the moon! There he meets Moongirl and her giant cat. Can he help them defeat the sinister gargaloon and bring light back to the moon?

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2006

1 person is currently reading
33 people want to read

About the author

Henry Selick

5 books4 followers

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5 stars
50 (58%)
4 stars
24 (27%)
3 stars
11 (12%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for D'Iberville Library.
105 reviews14 followers
June 20, 2017
This is a beautifully illustrated new myth about the moon. Why is it light on one side and dark on the other. Who maintains the light of the moon? Leon and his pet squirrel are about to find out!

Leon and his squirrel are snatched up from the bayou by a fish made out of stars to find themselves crash-landing on the moon. The moon is hollow, but has a beautiful carousel inside, but all the lights are out. Good thing Leon was fishing with lightning bugs. Now, introduce a villain from the dark side of the moon and adversity! Can Leon and Moongirl, the caretaker of the carousel, defeat the monster?

Only one way to find out!

Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Ryan.
5,764 reviews33 followers
March 19, 2018
This is a wonderful imaginative story. While night fishing a boy is hooked and sent to the moon. There he meets the Moongirl. They have to get the carousel running to the moon will glow. This story is also a bit sad. But maybe only a bit sad to an adult reader who understands the effects of the ending.
Profile Image for Steph.
312 reviews
May 22, 2014
Like a very short Neil Gaiman story, "Moongirl" has adventure, a creepy monster, unexpected beauty, and a profound ending that combined make the story enjoyable for any age.

Leon and his best friend, Earl the squirrel, are out fishing one night when a star fish catches hold of the line and drags them all the way to the moon! Once there, Leon and Earl meet Moongirl and her giant cat, Siegfried, guardians of the moon. She explains that the fireflies he brought from Earth are just what they need when the evil Gargaloon from the dark side of the moon sneaks in and steals the jar. With a clever scheme involving a very brave squirrel, they recover the fireflies and save the moon! The story doesn't quite end there however, and Moongirl has something for Leon that can change his life and fulfill a legend far older than either of them.

The illustrations by Peter Chan and Courtney Booker create a beautiful ambiance of mystery and magic, that compliment the story perfectly - especially the super creepy Gargaloon, who wants to steal all of the light! The story gives the sense that there's a tradition on the moon that one simply can't see without a little luck and a lot of imagination. How the moon produces its light is very clever and has a bit of a "Hugo Cabret" feel in it's simplicity.

Loved this book, and I am looking for a copy for my permanent library!
Profile Image for Angela.
150 reviews2 followers
February 21, 2013
Best for kids ages 4 and up
Early Literacy Skills: Print Motivation, Vocabulary, Narrative Skills

From cover:
When the moon goes dark as he fishes on the bayou, Leon is drawn into a mysterious and wonderful adventure, one that takes him all the way to the moon - and inside it!
A jar of lightning bugs, a feisty squirrel, a glorious carousel, a two-headed monster, and the intriguing Moongirl herself all play a part in this stunning picture book, offered by exclusive arrangement with a DVD of the acclaimed short film by celebrated animation director Henry Selick. Luminous artwork created by Peter Chan and Courtney Booker transports readers to a mythical moonscape full of breathtaking and imaginative possibilities.

Fantastic story is connected beautifully with the wonderful, mesmerizing illustration. May include the animated short of the story.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
98 reviews39 followers
December 27, 2007
Illustrations are absolutely gorgeous: dark and dreamy with lots of dramatic illumination and cute big-eyed characters. It's like Caravaggio meets Tim Burton meets Miyazaki. There's even a dvd included with the book that features a very short animated version of the story - equally gorgeous, and for even more punk rock points, the score was written by They Might Be Giants.

Edited to add: A little googling revealed why this book felt so Burton-y. Turns out the author directed a little thing called Nightmare Before Christmas, among other works of awesome. Illustrators are no slouches either, having Lemony Snicket, Harry Potter, and Nemo on their resumes.
Profile Image for Bella.
252 reviews
September 6, 2016
The story of Moongirl is one of pure imagination put into motion. I was left with a sense of aw over the artwork that was used to inspire the movie. I first watched the movie which was a nice short ten minute film about a boy who is moon fishing and ends up landing on the moon where he meets Moongirl. Here the two embark on a little adventure to relight the moon with the boys fireflies. Only to have them stolen by the creature that lives on the dark side of the moon. After watching the film I read the book which is the film word for word. This is a great activity for parents to do with their kids.
8 reviews
September 26, 2015
This is a large hard cover book filled with BEAUTIFUL illustrations from cover to cover! It has the right mix of fantasy and imagination and tells a very cute story of a boy who while fishing with his pet squirrel, casts his lightening bug baited line, out to catch a fish but instead of catching a real fish finds himself 'caught' by a heavenly fish who takes him up into the sky and lands him on the moon! There he meets Moon Girl...and their little adventure complete with a scary monster takes flight! Don't worry though...this story is perfect for bedtime (or anytime!) because of course there is a happy ending!
Profile Image for Michelle.
67 reviews
April 3, 2009
I bought this book on clearance at Walmart and it came with a DVD for $5. The title and illustrations are what appealed to me most. Well, we have read the book a few times to my 2 year old and she loves it and listens quite intently. Plus, the movie is like 5 minutes long and she has watched it at least a dozen or more times.
35 reviews1 follower
Want to read
September 29, 2011
Karen: The story is really imaginative and the illustrations rich. I suggested the book with DVD. There is 20 minute movie that is wonderful - and there are not many movies that I recommend. This is really sweet. And in fact, I believe that inside the moon, of a shelf there is a jar that once held fireflies with the name Isabel on it. :-)
Author 1 book
January 14, 2014
I'm surprised by the reviews & ratings here because I enjoyed this book greatly. Lovely illustrations, thought-provoking language and a story that, while simple, is tidy and beautiful.

I particularly enjoyed the inventiveness of the story--fish turning to stars, the light and dark sides of the moon and the "changing of the guard" between the boy and the girl he meets.

A great bed-time book.
Profile Image for Rachel.
278 reviews1 follower
May 19, 2011
One of my all time favorite kids stories! Love to read it to my little one and we enjoy the movie version too. Adorable story, read in my best hick-southern accent. Highly recommend to all with little ones!
Profile Image for Roseann.
268 reviews22 followers
June 23, 2008
The DVD short animated film is delightful!
My daughter loved it.. sweet and fun.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
16 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2012
This is a beautiful story. The illustrations are great. Very fun tale!
Profile Image for Gretchen.
Author 6 books28 followers
June 3, 2013
Beautifully illustrated and whimsical story set on the moon. It's an adventure story for the preschool/early elementary school crowd that will keep even young children interested.
Profile Image for ♡ Carla.
73 reviews3 followers
March 15, 2016
Way better than the movie, it explains much more. Loved the illustrations.
Profile Image for Punkie.
794 reviews7 followers
March 9, 2022
5 stars
The incomparable Laika Studio's first film, Moongirl. The story of a young boy who goes on an adventure to the moon to meet the mysterious girl who makes it shine.😊
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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