How to Reach the Moon

by Nicolás Schuff, Lawrence Schimel (translator), Ana Sender (illustrator)

Emilio and two adventurers off to see the moon!

Emilio loves spending vacations out in the forest at his abuelo’s house. The woods are mysterious, and Abuelo and Emilio can dine outside by the light of a lantern every night. And then, best of all, Abuelo tells his fantastical stories! One night, when there’s a full moon, Abuelo suggests they go and meet the moon. At first, Emilio isn’t sure he’s serious—but Abuelo is a true adventurer! And so the two, boy and grandfather, set off on their mission. But what creatures might await them in the forest? And will they really get to see the moon?

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

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Nació el 24 de noviembre de 1973. Vive en Buenos Aires. Ha publicado, entre otros libros: El viaje a la Luna, El misterio de las medias, El bajaestrellas, Leyendas urbanas, versiones de Las aventuras de Huckleberry Finn y de Odisea y, en esta misma colección, Hugo Besugo y el misterio del perro salchicha.

Reviews

[Vanesa Eluaiza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hola booklovers siempre me gustó la literatura infantil y este año me he topado con libros que la verdad no conocía y que me maravillaron, como es el caso de este libro. 


En día de ayer fui a visitar a mí ahijada, quién me trae para mostrarme su carpeta de jardín (desde ya les digo que sus trabajos son hermosos ❤️) y también me trae 2 libros que le regalaron porque ya egresó. 


Ya, al ver el título de éste y las ilustraciones de las portadas, no me pude resistir y tuve que leerlo. 


Es un libro precioso dónde nos cuenta la historia de Emilio que viaja al bosque con su abuelo, quien tiene miles de historias para contar y conoce el camino para llegar a la luna. 

Y así se sumerjen una noche, Emilio y su abuelo, en el bosque buscando el camino que los lleve a la luna. 


Es un libro muy tierno en donde seguramente los  transporte a esas épocas en donde pasaban tiempo o escuchaban historias de sus abuelos o abuelas.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quel bonheur d'avoir une maman prof pour ramener des albums jeunesse comme celui-là <3

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how this made me miss my beloved grandfathers; they were storytellers, each in their own way, and my childhood/teen years were immeasurably richer because of their influence in my life. I was blessed to live with my maternal grandparents from the age of 10 until the age of 16 and those were some of the best years of my life and I am forever grateful for their love and generosity towards my mother, sister, and I.

It also made me miss my time in Brazil; I had never known stars and the moon could be so bright or look like you could touch them if you just reached high enough. It was a glorious time and this book brought all that back to me as well.

This gorgeously illustrated book is about a small boy spending the summer with his beloved Abuelo [grandfather]. They spend the days enjoying the land, they eat outside, and at night, Abuelo tells the boy fantastical stories. One night they go looking for the moon [because Abuelo tells the boy that he can introduce him to the moon!!] and an amazing late-night adventure ensues.

A beautiful, heartfelt story that both children and their readers will love and will want to read again and again. I absolutely loved this one!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Nicolas Schuff, Ana Sender - Illustrator, Laurence Schimel - Translator, and Amazon Crossings Kids for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Srujan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In How To Reach The Moon, little Emilio’s quest to reach the moon with his grandfather becomes a luminous ode to the quiet magic of intergenerational bonds.


📌 I had the chance to read this book early thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Crossing Kids, and I’m excited to share my thoughts here. No strings attached—just my honest take on how I enjoyed reading this book. 💕


We all know that the time we spent with grandparents was magical. That is one relationship in our lives which is amazing mix of unconditional trust, inexhaustible amount of love, wide eyed wonder and intergenerational family bonds.  Love shared between Emilio and his grandfather is no different.


The true star of the book for me were the bold, sweeping illustrations which act as silent storytellers, painting mountains that loom like giants and forests that hum with mystery. The text plays only a supporting to the vibrant visuals, letting the verdant images carry the narrative.


This heartwarming tale resonated deeply with me and my children, making it a delightful read for families seeking a story that celebrates the special connections between generations.

[Mags · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for providing an e-arc of this book.

This was a charming little story about a grandson and grandfather, and both of them clearly having strong imaginations. The art of this book was beautiful and the story was very cute, ending in a way that was fun and tied in cleanly to the title and premise without distracting from the relationship between a grandparent and their grandchild.

[Bibliosmah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a captivating story of a little boy who goes on an adventure to reach the Moon from the Earth.
Beautiful illustrations are hard to miss and they tell the story in perfect synchrony.
Chidren as well as adults love to read book with illustrations!

[Read with nana (Taylor version⋆｡ ﾟ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it to my little brother, and he said, "I Loved it sm," bc he's so curious about the moon and how we meet the moon, but when I read it to him, he liked it very much. This comic is for children, but I'm an adult, and I enjoyed it too.

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful and sweet story! This book wasn't what I was expecting at all, but I was happily surprised. Emilio's story about spending time with his abuelo truly shows the power that storytelling has, and how much love and wonder can come with it. On top of that, Emilio's adventurous spirit is infectious, and will definitely inspire young readers to be creative and adventurous, just like both of the characters in this book.
As for the plot, it was clear, defined, easy-to-follow, and just generally well-done.
Now, I want to give credit to the illustrator. They captured the enchantment of the moon and the night sky wonderfully, which worked really well with the story. Adding onto that, the author and the illustrator worked really well together. What I mean by this is that the writing was minimalistic, while still being descriptive. This allowed the breathtaking illustrations to really shine through and both aspects (writing and art) of the story were able to reach their full potential.
Bravo!

[Radwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute children's story about the tight relationship between a boy and his grandfather. heartwarming and the art is beautiful.

[Cece · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Thank you NetGalley, Amazon Crossing Kids and Nicolás Schuff for providing an ARC of this book]

I know i’m not the target audience but i think it’s a beautiful tale and I would use it if I could.

“Abuelo, is it true that the moon has a face we never see?” Emilio asks.
“The moon has many faces!” Abuelo answers.
“Sometimes I look at the moon and see the face of your abuela. Sometimes I see my own face as a child, when i was your age. And other times I see the face of the Earth, as if the moon were a mirror that the Earth looks into as it test ready for bed”.

[Sun-young Peony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful children's book is such a gem. It tells a sweet story about a boy named Emilio and his Abuelo (that's grandpa!). They go on the most amazing adventure. They want to meet the moon. Any kid's imagination will go wild! You'll be just as curious as Emilio to see what happens when they walk through the forest at night.

ILLUSTRATION:
The pictures in this book are so pretty and calming. They look like soft watercolor paintings... and they make the story feel really peaceful to look at. I mean, by turning each page of the book feels like I'm taking a soft, gentle breath. You know what I mean, right? Haha. You just float right into Emilio's world as you read. I'm pretty sure kids will love looking at the soft colors and dreamy pictures included in this book. The artwork is so nice that they'll probably want to look at each page for a long time. You know...just enjoying how peaceful it feels.

ABUELO AND EMILIO'S BOND:
Besides the GOOD story and pretty illustrations, this book feels really warm and cozy inside. You can really see how much Emilio loves his Abuelo. It makes the story so sweet. It also quietly talks about being curious, being brave and how special it is to do things together.

This book is really magical and kids from 4 to 8 will absolutely love it. It offers a calm adventure filled with amazing things. And again... the pictures are so peaceful and beautiful. They really bring the story to life. If you have children, they will definitely want to hear this story every night before they go to sleep!

[Olivia Gao · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the story, Emilio visits his Abuelo who lives in a house in a forest. They share time dining under the sky, telling tales of mythical creatures, and enjoying dessert while watching shooting stars.

But the best part for the boy is to visit the moon. Following Abuelo, they walked through the forest to the ravine, where the giant moon’s reflection is.

It’s a quiet and heartwarming story. Although some children may not share the similar adventures in the story, I think they can relate to a fun time with their grandparents.

However, I do find that this book may be trying to pack in too many elements, like the activities through the day and the ingredients Abuelo uses for dessert. It may leave some readers wondering how it all relates to the moon.

When the story describes how Abuelo and Emilio dive into the river to seek the reflection of the giant moon. Underwater, Emilio can see the shining stones, snails, and colourful fish… A magical experience, for sure!

Though I find it difficult to stay immersed in this scene. As someone who has night foraged under a full moon, I know how impossible it would be without another source of light. But of course, it’s a storybook.

Thank you to Amazon Crossing Kids for the ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Translated from the Spanish by Lawrence Schimel. illustrated by Ana Sender.
Emilio takes the train to visit his abuelo who lives in the mountains near the forest where grandfather tells tales and helps Emilio to appreciate nature and more. Excellent tale about love, family and the world of nature around us.
The illustrations by the Ana Sender are lovingly detailed, delightfully colorful, and FUN!
Well suited for reading WITH someone any age from 4 and up, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected eGalley on Adobe Digital Editions from Amazon Crossing Kids via NetGalley. Avail Apr 15, 2025
#HowToReachtheMoon by Nicolás Schuff @pajarofantasma illustrated by @anasender translated by @lawrence_schimel #Illustrated #NetGalley #goodreads #bookbub #librarythingofficial #barnesandnoble #waterstones ***** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk
#childrensbookcouncil #kidlit #picturebooks #grandfathers #loveOfNature #family

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emilio and Abuelo: two adventurers off to see the moon! Emilio loves spending vacations out in the forest at his abuelo's house. Abuelo and Emilio dine outside by the light of a lantern every night. Emilio can’t wait for Abuelo to tell his fantastical stories! One night, when there's a full moon, Abuelo suggests they go and meet the moon. At first, Emilio isn't sure he's serious--but Abuelo is a true adventurer! And so the two, boy and grandfather, set off on their mission. But what creatures might await them in the forest? And will they really get to see the moon?

I loved this story! The story is great. Illustrations are perfect in this picture book. It shows a sweet relationship between the boy and his grandfather.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[danni &#x1f60e; · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book comes out next year in April! thank you Amazon Kids Publishing for giving me a copy.

How To Reach the Moon is a striking story that takes you on a journey through the forest in search of the moon. it's a story about a boy and his Abuelo.

this is my favorite part:
boy: "Abuelo, is it true that the moon has a face we never see?"
abuelo: "the moon has many faces! sometimes i look at the moon and see the face of your abuela. sometimes i see my own face as a child, when i was your age. and other times i see the face of the earth, as if the moon were a mirror that the earth looks into as it gets ready for bed."

Nicolás Schuff's story paints the perfect summer vacation impression and this is an ideal book for bedtime that highlights the companionship between a grandparent and child.

it was so poetic and beautiful. i cannot wait to get my kids a copy.

[Divya Shankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emilio loves his abuelo (grandfather) who lives in the woods. He likes to dine with him by the light of the lantern on the table crafted by abuelo and loves to listen to his stories in the dark. On one full moon night when Emilio casually asks if the moon has a face that they can't see, abuelo remarks the moon has many faces. Then he quizzes Emilio if he would like to go to the moon.

"Can Abuelo and he just walk like that to the moon taking a backpack"?, wonders Emilio. Go on a simple, feel-good adventure in this little book that portrays a beautiful bond between a grandchild and a grandfather, rendered even more special with gorgeous illustrations by Ana Sender.
Thank you Netgalley and Amazon Crossing for this very lovely book's copy. Reading books for children and a translated one feels extra special.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at the whimsical smarts of an old man, who entertains his grandson in the middle of nowhere each evening, and ends up promising to take him to the moon that hangs over them both. It's best I say nothing else about the plot – just highlight the really strong artwork, which captures the gloomy woods and the characters' environment very well indeed. The text is fine, and the story is certainly worth a read, if not quite grabbing enough to demand re-reads, but if anything the thing succeeds just because it highlights the older person's imagination, when such books usually foreground the dreams and inventions of the children. And I'm not sure if that distinction is actually enough. That said, this is better than a three and a half star read, so four it is.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Amazon Crossing Kids and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting, I have had continuing familial health challenges to contend with in the past months.

This children's book is a translation of an award-winning Spanish book, which tells the story of the simple and yet deep bond between a grandfather and grandchild. Dining outside by the light of a lantern every night, telling stories - and on the night of a full moon they set out to meet the moon, travelling through the forest, encountering night creatures. This tribute to adventures together is perfectly complemented by the wonderful illustrations - a great book to read together.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgic
How To Reach the Moon is a touching book about a boy spending time with his Abuelo. It brings together shared memories, mild adventure, and imagination along with a caring family member. Illustrations are nice and fit the story.

Age: k-2
Recommended for: read at home
Caution: there is a scene where they jump into water wearing underwear. This is done well, but elem. kids may cause a scene in class or library if read aloud.

This honest review is given in exchange for a NetGalley ebook copy.

[Emilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for providing an e-arc of this book.

As a Puerto Rican, whose name is Emilia, who spent nights staring up at the moon and stars with her Abuelo - this book really hit home for me. Some of my favorite childhood memories are late night swims with my family, and this book really captures the magic of those moments. I also love how this book captures the imagination of a child. That instead of being scared of the shadows in the night, turning them into animals on this journey to meet the moon. The artwork was cute without being overwhelming to the actual story. I would recommend this book to any child.

[dipshi · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to Reach the Moon is a sweet and heartwarming children’s book that captures the magic of imagination and the special bond between a boy and his grandfather.

The story follows young Emilio, who is spending his vacation with his grandfather. One day, inspired by wonder and curiosity, they decide to embark on an unforgettable adventure, to meet the moon. What unfolds is a whimsical journey filled with creativity, and love.

I was especially captivated by the illustration style—it beautifully complements the gentle narrative and adds charm to every page.

A lovely and tender read that reminds us how far we can go with a little imagination and the right company.

[Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet read and I thouroughly enjoyed the illustrations and the attention to detail!
The story of this children's book follows Emilio and his Abuelo, as they adventure together through beautifully depicted nature in search of the moon. The book felt so whimsical and enchanting, and left me feeling a sense of warmth. I loved how the relationship between Emilio and his grandfather was depicted and how the story can show readers, both yound and old, what is possible in the realm of imagination.

Thank you to Amazon Crossing Kids and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

[hus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emilio’s Journey is a sweet, enchanting story that beautifully highlights the power of storytelling and the bond between Emilio and his abuelo. Emilio’s adventurous spirit is contagious and will inspire young readers to explore their own creativity. The plot is simple and engaging, while the illustrations wonderfully capture the magic of the night sky, complementing the minimal yet descriptive writing. Together, the author and illustrator create a truly captivating experience. A lovely book that’s sure to spark imagination!

[Moonkiszt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Featured in a Read with Grandma Session. . .

Ah. . .a book of boys. Young and Old. Hijos y Abuelos (Padres are only implied en este libro). My grandson and granddaughter read through this with me a few times and then we discussed. . .

On the story: we love the trip by train. the words draw a picture of how abuelo looks - and how the wind moves the trees. they eat dinner outside and tell stories. stories with great names like The Adventures of the Mouse-Faced Bird!. Emilio gets to jump into the moon!! I want to jump into the moon!

On the illustrations: I love the plants, all the plants. Emilio's hair, and Abuelo's green hat with feather and flowers. Oh, and his moustache. and his hairy legs. The scary animals that have Emilio and Abuelo shadows in them. . .the moon. THE JUMP!

At the end - How many Stars?: All the Stars. ("can we ask for more or is that against the rules?" one thoughtfully asks; "just say all and they'll get the message," says the sister who knows her way around grownups; "indeed, they will," murmured the abuela in the room).

*A sincere thank you to Nicolás Schuff (Author), Ana Sender (Illustrator), Lawrence Schimel (Translator), Amazon Crossing Kids, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emilio visits his abuelo during the summer where they spend quality time together in the forest. Abuelo is always telling Emilio new stories and sharing the wonders of the world with him. One night they go on an adventure to visit the moon and have a magical time together.

This book had such a cute story. It was easy to follow and fun to read. The prose was engaging and kept the story moving. The illustrations were also incredibly gorgeous and really suited the story being told.

[Leah Orr · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Emilio travels to abuelo's house the adventure begins. Emilo and Abuelo love the outdoors and the mysteries within the forest. When the eat outdoors by candlelight, Abuelo tells legends of the forest. One night, when there is a full moon, abuelo explains how the moon has many faces. Abuelo takes Emilio on a hike to meet the moon. Such a lovely story for the young ones. The illustrations are so beautiful, you feel as though you are in the forest along with them.

[Lizvette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley and Amazon Crossing Kids for the ARC.

This lovely book is a must read! The powerful and sweet relationship between grandfather and grandson having fun in the outdoors feels real. It also shares enjoyment and respect for nature. I love how cozy and emotional it feels. The large vibrant illustrations go perfectly with the story pace. A children book that will be appreciate by any age. Excellent done!

[Tawheeda Rufah Nilima · Rating 3 out of 5]

#HowToReachTheMoon is such a charming book! The artwork is absolutely beautiful, and as someone who has always loved earthy tones, I found it especially captivating. This book beautifully introduces children to the wonder and abundance of Mother Nature—showing how even the simplest moments, like bathing in a moonlit pond, can feel as magical as reaching for the moon. Thank you #NetGalley for the book.

[RatGrrrl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

This is the wonderful story of young Emilio visiting his abuelo's house in the county for the summer and the wondrous adventures of imagination that see them share stories, trek through the woods as animals, and plunge into the waters of the moon.

The pencil shaded art is so expressive and full of character and the writing is filled with cozy, imaginative goodness.

This is something special.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, atmospheric illustrations that hug the text and draw in the reader! I love the illustration style (Ana Sender is a genius) and the playful text choices. An adorable story of family, quality time spent together and finding unexpected routes to a destination.

Free proof copy provided by Netgalley.