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Wait Till the Moon Is Full: A Classic Story About a Curious Little Raccoon for Kids
Once upon a time in the dark of the moon there was a little raccoon… From the beloved author of such classics as Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny , Margaret Wise Brown, and renowned children’s book illustrator Garth Williams comes the story of a curious little raccoon who wants to see the night. But his mother says, “Wait. Wait till the moon is full.” So the little raccoon waits and wonders until, at last, the very special evening arrives…
36 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1948
About the author
Margaret Wise Brown
397 books1,262 followersMargaret Wise Brown wrote hundreds of books and stories during her life, but she is best known for Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Even though she died nearly 70 years ago, her books still sell very well.
Margaret loved animals. Most of her books have animals as characters in the story. She liked to write books that had a rhythm to them. Sometimes she would put a hard word into the story or poem. She thought this made children think harder when they are reading.
She wrote all the time. There are many scraps of paper where she quickly wrote down a story idea or a poem. She said she dreamed stories and then had to write them down in the morning before she forgot them.
She tried to write the way children wanted to hear a story, which often isn't the same way an adult would tell a story. She also taught illustrators to draw the way a child saw things. One time she gave two puppies to someone who was going to draw a book with that kind of dog. The illustrator painted many pictures one day and then fell asleep. When he woke up, the papers he painted on were bare. The puppies had licked all the paint off the paper.
Margaret died after surgery for a bursting appendix while in France. She had many friends who still miss her. They say she was a creative genius who made a room come to life with her excitement. Margaret saw herself as something else - a writer of songs and nonsense.
Margaret loved animals. Most of her books have animals as characters in the story. She liked to write books that had a rhythm to them. Sometimes she would put a hard word into the story or poem. She thought this made children think harder when they are reading.
She wrote all the time. There are many scraps of paper where she quickly wrote down a story idea or a poem. She said she dreamed stories and then had to write them down in the morning before she forgot them.
She tried to write the way children wanted to hear a story, which often isn't the same way an adult would tell a story. She also taught illustrators to draw the way a child saw things. One time she gave two puppies to someone who was going to draw a book with that kind of dog. The illustrator painted many pictures one day and then fell asleep. When he woke up, the papers he painted on were bare. The puppies had licked all the paint off the paper.
Margaret died after surgery for a bursting appendix while in France. She had many friends who still miss her. They say she was a creative genius who made a room come to life with her excitement. Margaret saw herself as something else - a writer of songs and nonsense.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 17, 2019
I love Garth Williams and the illustrations here were charming. (They reminded me a bit of the Hobans' Frances books.) The reader needs to have patience like the young raccoon. (I know my oldest son was certainly wondering aloud if the raccoon would EVER be able to go out!) I thought some of it rambled a bit, but some of it was quite lovely, like the changing descriptions of the moon. I love how the mother raccoon could not answer the many questions of the little raccoon all at once, so she sang the answers through a song.
October 19, 2021
As we wait for the full moon tonight, this little book from my childhood remains a favorite.
November 18, 2012
With pictures by Garth Williams, the story is told of a curious little raccoon who wants to go outside to explore and play at nighttime. Despite this, his mother keeps telling him to wait, wait until the moon is full. The little raccoon is full of questions for his mother and she sings answers to him. Finally the moon is full and the raccoon is allowed to go out and play, but the moon is bright enough so that it is not even dark anymore. I think this book was very cute for that reason, and you do not really catch it unless you pay attention to the illustrations. Additionally, it teaches about the dark, nighttime creatures, moon phases and patience, and is therefore perfect for the classroom.
May 6, 2019
The little raccoon keeps asking his mother when he can go out at night. "Wait till the moon is full," is her constant refrain. Until the very end when illustrations change from the B&W with brown of their underground home to full color outside with all varieties of busy animals outdoors.
August 27, 2019
I took this oldie out from the library to see Garth William's art up close, and was not clearly recalling this book. I probably did and forgot. Being a Margaret Wise Brown book, curious on the writing front as well.
It reads so much like The Little Bear books of Elsa Holmelund Minarik and Sendak which I adore - the first in Little Bear series did not come out till 1999.
That said, this book is a bit disjointed in perhaps trying to do too much, waiting for a full moon for a whole month is unclear timing. Why a raccoon child can not go out at night until the full moon - while rabbits seem able to - also unclear. But all the questions Little Raccoon has for his mama are ripe with voice of a curious child.
Worth a historical read if nothing else. I was reminded just this week how young picture books for young children really are, and it is a continually morphing industry. So can look at it in multiple layers - when, how, why... as a parent = how does my child respond today = as a teacher - ie: can this be related to the moon cycles? = as a writer = is the story structure good? voice? language? plot arc?
I won't and can't make all these determinations from so many perspectives, but for its time, it is great - was probably a new genre to large extent.
It reads so much like The Little Bear books of Elsa Holmelund Minarik and Sendak which I adore - the first in Little Bear series did not come out till 1999.
That said, this book is a bit disjointed in perhaps trying to do too much, waiting for a full moon for a whole month is unclear timing. Why a raccoon child can not go out at night until the full moon - while rabbits seem able to - also unclear. But all the questions Little Raccoon has for his mama are ripe with voice of a curious child.
Worth a historical read if nothing else. I was reminded just this week how young picture books for young children really are, and it is a continually morphing industry. So can look at it in multiple layers - when, how, why... as a parent = how does my child respond today = as a teacher - ie: can this be related to the moon cycles? = as a writer = is the story structure good? voice? language? plot arc?
I won't and can't make all these determinations from so many perspectives, but for its time, it is great - was probably a new genre to large extent.
July 5, 2025
A little raccoon is anxious to go out and enjoy the night.
His mama says he must Wait Till the Moon Is Full.
In the days of waiting, his mamas sings him a song about the night and the moon:
Soft in the night
In the bright moonlight
Rabbits run all through the night
And never bump into each other
In the Full of the Moon
When the Moon is Full
She sings him another song about the phases of the moon:
But wait, wait till the bright moonlight
Bursts on the night all silvery white,
Wait till the moon is full.
Then at last the night comes when little raccoon may go out in the woods to dance with the other animals and see the moon. Garth Williams illustrates this charming night story with sepia until that last glorious full-color scene under the Full Moon. A delight all around.
This is the seventh and final read for week of MWB books. There are many more to enjoy, so I'm sure you will see more of her in my reviews in the future -- no matter what the moon is up to.🌝
His mama says he must Wait Till the Moon Is Full.
In the days of waiting, his mamas sings him a song about the night and the moon:
Soft in the night
In the bright moonlight
Rabbits run all through the night
And never bump into each other
In the Full of the Moon
When the Moon is Full
She sings him another song about the phases of the moon:
But wait, wait till the bright moonlight
Bursts on the night all silvery white,
Wait till the moon is full.
Then at last the night comes when little raccoon may go out in the woods to dance with the other animals and see the moon. Garth Williams illustrates this charming night story with sepia until that last glorious full-color scene under the Full Moon. A delight all around.
This is the seventh and final read for week of MWB books. There are many more to enjoy, so I'm sure you will see more of her in my reviews in the future -- no matter what the moon is up to.🌝
March 6, 2024
A young racoon pesters his mother: when can I go out at night? Nevermind the cover; Williams's illustrations are black and white, accented with burnt umber. This is one part the coziest possible illustrations of anthropomorphized animals doing domestic tasks, and one part a gentle but atmospheric embrace of the night, filled with nocturnal activities, changing with the light of the moon, secretive but not scary. "If you want to go out in the woods and see ... what color is the night" - it's a fine balance and not quite struck for me, the adult reader who always wants a picture book to be 10% weirder or creepier than it is, but it intrigues me.
January 8, 2023
The illustrations by Garth Williams made the book special to me. The little raccoon with his little raccoon on wheels that he pulls with a string is darling! I think this book would be a delightful lead up to a backyard adventure to explore the creatures of the night in the full moon! It was always comforting to me as a kid to realize we all look up to the same moon. Usually we are nestle our children in the safety of our home at night but how exciting to have a late night adventure!
January 6, 2021
One of my favorite books as a preschooler and kindergartener. My little sister and I checked it out from the library so many times our mom could recite it by heart, and the phrase, "Wait till the moon is fuuuuuuuullllll," permanently entered the family lexicon. (Okay, so has the Barney song, but ...)
June 30, 2025
First I just need to say that the fact that I can't easily find this and "North Country Night" to purchase for expectant moms in my life greatly offends me.
Second, I LOVE this book. The racoons are too cute and the final scene after the build up is fantastic. Absolute childhood favorite right here.
Second, I LOVE this book. The racoons are too cute and the final scene after the build up is fantastic. Absolute childhood favorite right here.
November 16, 2020
A liitle raccoon wants to go out to see the night. Over and over (and over) again the mother raccoon insists that he wait until the moon is full. She sings two songs and then finally, the little raccoon gets to go out at night. I found the book terribly boring.
January 26, 2019
Charming in a period-appropriate way, but I expected more richness from MWB, even in a spare and simple story.
March 8, 2021
My favorite part of this book is the art style. Something about the way the animals are illustrated draws me in a bit more. Beyond that I like that the book kind of teaches the moon cycle.
August 16, 2021
Beautiful pictures and poetry of writing, although the story itself is a little odd.
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January 10, 2023A case of liking the pictures, and wondering if the bat at the end is for defense against owls. A strange whatever it was.
September 19, 2023
An absolute favorite with lines that will echo in your ears every time you're waiting on the moon to be full.
January 16, 2024
A good story to teach children about waiting for good things.
#Waiting
#Patience
#Waiting
#Patience
July 8, 2025
A fun, new-to-me Margaret Wise Brown!
January 19, 2026
This was my favorite book to read to my daughter when she was younger. I absolutely love it and the little songs within.
February 7, 2021
Once upon a time in the dark of the moon there was a little raccoon. He lived down in a big warm chestnut tree with his mother - who was also a raccoon.
Garth Williams' pictures are, well, always recognizable as his own - and they're super cute as always. Mostly black/white and brown/burgundy, with full color cover, front piece and last page.
OK story. Mostly enjoyable for the pictures.
Garth Williams' pictures are, well, always recognizable as his own - and they're super cute as always. Mostly black/white and brown/burgundy, with full color cover, front piece and last page.
OK story. Mostly enjoyable for the pictures.
October 26, 2023
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade Level: K - 3rd
This book is a great informational book about the phases of the moon. This would be great to read to students when teaching about the phases of the moon or when it is a full moon outside. The author also incorporated some songs/poems throughout that added to the story. I highly recommend this book!
Grade Level: K - 3rd
This book is a great informational book about the phases of the moon. This would be great to read to students when teaching about the phases of the moon or when it is a full moon outside. The author also incorporated some songs/poems throughout that added to the story. I highly recommend this book!
September 3, 2025
A sweet poetic story about patience and the moon.
Ages: 4 - 7
Here’s a few of our bedtime favs: watch my reel!
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Ages: 4 - 7
Here’s a few of our bedtime favs: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
September 24, 2008
this absolutely delightful children's book is fully illustrated by Garth Thompson, and tells about a young raccoon who hungers to go out and play. But his mother warns him to wait until the moon is full. the book is full of songs that the mother sings as she rocks her youngster (that the adult reader gets to make up tunes to). i think it encourages children's curiosity and bravery about the dark, and showcases many mammalian creatures who can be found outside only at nighttime. These animals are personified, and the mother raccoon is warm and loving and the child raccoon is fun loving and as persistent as any child who consistently and constantly asks for something, only to be put off just a little longer.
The book teaches children that the dark is a warm and cozy place, and when the moon is full is such a special time that "all creatures who love the dark come out when the moon is full."
The book teaches children that the dark is a warm and cozy place, and when the moon is full is such a special time that "all creatures who love the dark come out when the moon is full."
November 28, 2012
The story is told about a curious little raccoon who wants to go outside to explore and play at nighttime but his mother keeps telling him to wait, wait until the moon is full. The little raccoon is full of questions for his mother and she sings answers to him. It made me laugh because at the end when she allows him to go outside because the moon is full, it is light out and everyone is playing. She tricks him by saying the sun if a full moon yet the raccoon is happy as can be. It teaches about the dark, nighttime creatures, moon phases, and patience.
I thought this book was really cute. There are several opportunities for lessons when reading this book. It could be read before a science lesson on the phases of the moon and the class could make a module of the moon phases to hold up during the story.
I thought this book was really cute. There are several opportunities for lessons when reading this book. It could be read before a science lesson on the phases of the moon and the class could make a module of the moon phases to hold up during the story.
August 11, 2013
A mother raccoon has tricky answers when her young raccoon is curious about the night. She continues to find reasons to have him wait, like the sun is down, he needs to find his bed, etc. This is another of Margaret Wise Browns' books that are simple and delightful, fulfilling a place in our lives every time. It will start a nice discussion with young children about the night. It will be another nice bedtime story.
May 3, 2019
One of the first picture books I ever used in a story time, back when I was a new children's librarian.
An interesting story about a small raccoon who is not allowed to go out at night until the moon is full. Garth Williams's illustrations are very nice; they are all black, brown and white until the final page when the raccoon gets to outside, then the page is in full color. Maybe Brown was trying to teach readers that having patience reaps great rewards.
An interesting story about a small raccoon who is not allowed to go out at night until the moon is full. Garth Williams's illustrations are very nice; they are all black, brown and white until the final page when the raccoon gets to outside, then the page is in full color. Maybe Brown was trying to teach readers that having patience reaps great rewards.
March 29, 2012
Brown and Williams are the perfect match for children's stories. In this one, a young raccoon wants to go outside and play at night. His mother tells him throughout the month to wait until the moon is full. It's a cute story that teaches about time, the phases of the moon and the animals of the forest.
November 9, 2008
I think I'm choosing the ones that Ethan actually asked for more than once. This little raccoon is so Ethan, and the writing is one of Margaret Wise Brown's most magical (like The Color Kittens and Goodnight Moon).
December 21, 2008
This was my favorite book growing up. I could proably tell you the story without even having the book. It is about Racoon who wants to go out and play, but his mom keeps telling him to wait, wait till the moon is full.
to-read-for-kids
December 26, 2011mckinley packert - winter 2011
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews