Hello, Moon

by Julie Downing

This perfect bedtime read-aloud describes that magical time, just as we're drifting off to sleep, when the moon shines brightly and life emerges from the forest. Now a board book!

Hello moon,
Goodbye sun.
Night is near,
Day is done.

When the sun goes down and most of us are getting ready for bed, the nighttime animals of the forest all wake up to the light of the moon. It calls to them, from the slyest fox to the tiniest mouse, who feasts on leaves and fruit and scurries beneath the brush.

Gentle rhyming text is illustrated with soft and dreamy artwork in this perfect bedtime book in the tradition of Goodnight Moon, now in board book form for the littlest listeners. For more bedtime rhymes, don't miss the companion book Hello, Sun, which chronicles the other side of the daily cycle.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Nature, Storytime, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile

28 pages, Board Book

Expected publication March 17, 2026

About the author

Julie Downing is the illustrator of more than forty-five picture books and a professor of watercolor and children’s book illustration. She lives in California.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one features the perfect marriage of text, and gorgeous illustrations to help a child wind down, and get ready for sleepytime.



Sigh.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet rhyming bedtime story. Beautiful colors in the illustrations.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and comforting bedtime book. Nature, rhyming text (of only a couple words per page) accompany lush illustrations of animals in nature, a storm, etc. The color palette of deep blues and greens was very relaxing!

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing particularly original here but it’s pleasant.

[Brandon Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, lyrical, vibrantly illustrated book about the natural world at night. Wake up with the nocturnal animals and experience a night full of exploration, foraging, and a little danger. The gentle text would make for a good bedtime read. The rhyme flows fairly well, though there are a few imperfect rhymes in the text. I don't think that detracts too much from the overall flow of the story, though.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE - I want to take all of these gorgeous pictures and hang them in order around the walls of a nursery that matches the colors and themes of this story. And the lovely small snippets of rhyming text would make this a wonderful bedtime story.

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was sort of under the radar but I'll file it away as a lovely bedtime read-aloud and gorgeous gift for families. The illustrations are delightful and the cadence of the minimal text so soothing.

[Bekka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended for adults seeking out picture books with only a few works per page. Gorgeous artwork!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are so well thought of and so colorful. They really bring the story alive on every page page. The words in this book are beautifully written and there was no stumbling of words when read a loud. I really enjoyed reading this book to Cassie before bed. We talked about how some animals are going to bed when the moon comes out but there is a lot of animals that are just waking up. We also talked about why does she think that some animals are just waking up at night. It was a fun conversation starter between Cassie and myself. Cassie really enjoyed listening to the book but also enjoyed looking at the illustrations. She continued for several days looking at each page over and over and seeing new things. I highly recommend checking out this book.

[Jennifer Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful rhyming story of how night turns into day and all of the creatures that scurry about during the nighttime. Students will be able to see pictures of nighttime animals. The illustrations get lighter as the book moves along. The book's beginning, "Night is near, Day is done," ties nicely with the book's ending of "Hello, day!/Goodbye, night!"

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with simple rhyming text about nighttime. I didn't find the overall book very interesting since there isn't a story line but if you were talking about things that happen at night, this would be useful.

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple text with beautiful illustrations. I used this for a storytime with toddlers. The limited text made it so that the kids didn't loose focus. You could also highlight details of the pages as you read. The book had a good rhythm.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good bedtime book or final story of a babytime/toddlertime. Longer than Lobel's Hello, Day, but just as easy with its rhymes. A lovely counterpart.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations for a change of time, night to day story.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely artwork with much to find in the images. Gentle, short text takes the reader from nightfall to sunrise.

[Y.Poston]

Gorgeous exploration of night into day!

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great onomatopoeia

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple book about creatures out at night.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, sweet poem.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful winner from Julie Downing! Can't wait to use in Storytime.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The delightful, atmospheric illustrations are really the standout here in this calming nighttime poem.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminds me a bit of Denise Flemming's style.

[Lisa D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect bedtime book! too cute!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic illustrations! Beautiful book.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and simple with gorgeous illustrations.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous artwork in lush jewel tones beautifully complements the simple, soporific rhyming text about the activities of nocturnal animals who bed down by morning light.

[Carrie Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations with rhyming text.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

rhyming story about night creatures, beautiful art

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short bedtime book. The blurb compares it to Goodnight Moon, and it's accurate. Rhyming text, contrasting ideas, and short lines make it great for bedtime or storytime for babies or toddlers.