The Moon Seems to Change

Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2

by Franklyn Mansfield Branley

Explains the phases of the moon--the changes that seem to happen to it as it goes around Earth.

Genres: Science, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Space, Childrens, Astronomy, Kids

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1960

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book a lot. The illustrations are fun and interesting. The text informative, but not too complicated. My favorite thing about this book is that it has the best experiment I have ever seen that explains the phases of the moon. Very awesome! Other experiments I've seen just don't quite explain the moon phases as well as this book does.

[Corinne Creighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very old book does a fantastic job engaging its audience. This informational book explains to its audience all the different aspects of the moon. One aspect this book contains is the different "shapes" of the moon that appears in the sky and why these shapes form. The book also explains the rotation of the moon, the path of the moon, the moons light being on different sides of the world and even throws in an experiment for the readers to perform.
This book is a definite need for the science classroom. Each page is filled with detailed and easy to read diagrams on the earth's orbit and many other things. So much complicated information is broken down so that little kids can understand a lot about the moon. The illustrations on each page are very distinct and some illustrations even make the story more "story like." Instead of it being a boring and look science book. My favorite part of this book is how it includes an experiment for the readers to do. It explains step by step what to do and is very easy to perform and follow. This experiment enables the readers to physically understand how the Earth, Sun, and Moon all interact and how the light from the sun effects both the Earth and Moon. In conclusion, this book does an amazing job teaching little students very complex science lessons about the moon and space.

[Maggie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading The Moon Seems to Change, I believe this book is amazing because it discusses the different types of moon phases and the names of those moon phases. I love that the images and the text correlate with each other because they help the students to understand the material and boost their learning. The vocabulary in the book will help engage the students with the material learned throughout the lesson. This book is very important to read as a read aloud because by reading aloud to the students, this information will be engrained in their brain for a longer period of time with auditory learning. This is also another way to use modifications of learning for the students. Because we cannot actually see space in real person, it is important to see where the moon is in relation to the sun. In comparison to being on the earth, it takes a whole day for the sun to go around the earth. However, the moon takes a whole month to go through their phases. As an activity, I would like to look into having the students use themselves as the moon, sun and earth and how it works.

[Briana Bencivenga · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Awards: n/a
2. Appropriate grade level: Kindergarten-4th grade
3. Original summary: This book explains the different aspects of the moon. It includes information about the shapes of the moon, why these shapes form, rotation of the moon, the path it follows, and much more. There is also an experiment included that the students could perform.
4. Original review: The illustrations are fun, interesting, and helpful for understanding the information. The accurate diagrams could be useful for all types of learners. There is an elaborate, but age appropriate range of vocabulary that is a great asset to this book.
5. 2-3 in class uses: This book can be used during lessons about the moon or about different perspectives.

[SaraKat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a picture book that attempts to convey the reason that the moon has phases. This is a complicated topic even for older students, so it is a hard topic to teach smaller students. The author does a good job, but the text was a bit dense in places and I wasn't a fan of the experiment at the end being part of the story--maybe separating it into a new section of the book would be better. The illustrations were great and detailed, but so dark that seeing the detail was difficult. That may have been on purpose to make readers really concentrate, but I didn't like it.

[Brittany Sands · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my elementary science class and it was a great way for young readers to better understand the phases of the moon and how/why those changes occur! Franklyn Mansfield Branley is a well recognized author for children's literacy in terms of the science world, and this book was no exception to the outstanding work seen in their other books. Definitely recommend as a classroom aid!

[Christine Turner]

Twilight Tales -- SRP 2019

Have you noticed that the moon sometimes seems to grow and shrink? Read and find out about the phases of the moon! With a simple experiment using an orange, a pencil, and a flashlight, you can see for yourself why the moon looks different at different times of the month. Both text and artwork were vetted for accuracy by an expert.

Moon -- Juvenile literature.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for young kids curious about the moon. Full explanations in basic terms, with appropriate illustrations. There is also a step by step experiment to help show how the science behind the moon works.

[Barbara Lifland · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine as far as it went but I was hoping for more about why it takes a month for the moon to go around the earth, why you always see the same side of the moon, plus more on what part of the sky the moon is in during each phase and why. I imagine it is good for very young children.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent explanation of why the moon seems to change for kids... and adults! Einstein said if you can't explain a thing simply enough, you don't understand it well enough.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for what it is: An early-reader explaining the moon to young elementary school students. And -- bonus!-- it has artwork by Ed Emberley.

[Brianna Huelsman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way this book described the phases of the moon on a simple level. It makes the concept easier for children to understand.

[Indrani · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great book to pair with Monkey & the Moon. Use this book to provide background knowledge & then read Monkey & the Moon.

[Becca Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for a science class and it's a perfect descriptor of the Phases of the Moon! This would be great to pair with a science unit of the moon.

[Quinn Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good beginning explanation of moon phases

[bex o.donoghue · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars 🌟

[Viv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book.

[CassieTrapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good information about the moon written at a level that first graders can understand. The pictures are okay, but were a little confusing for my first graders.

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade Level: 2-3
Main Characters: NA
Setting: Outer Space!
POV:

Summary:
This book gives students information about the moon, and its role in the universe. It explains why the moon looks different (it revolves around the earth and it reflects light from the sun). It also explains how when it is day time in one place, it is night time in another place. Science terminology such as "waxing" and "waning" is used throughout the book to explain the phases of the moon. There are many diagrams to show the moon in different phases and its location to the sun and earth at different times of the day. The book ends with an experiment kids can do to see how the sun reflects on the moon as it revolves around the earth.

Classroom uses/themes:
Students can use this book to better understand the moon and its role in the universe. Students can do a hands on activity to show exactly how the sun reflects on the moon as it revolves around the earth.

[Eva Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy has written a lot of fact books, so that makes him a genius, so of course no matter what he writes about you believe him. And this time he's writing about the moon! It explains stuff pretty good.
It's got some experiment in it with an orange and a stick that we tried doing, except the orange leaked and the stick got all juicy and so we ate the orange.
But I got the point. The sun shines on the moon at different spots and makes some of it dark, so you only see half of it.
But you know what? Even when the moon isn't all the way light you can see the dark parts. They're just darker. But we saw it in a telescope.
This one is kind of wordy but most fact books are. And it's not too hard. It just takes a while to read, but if you get bored you can always just give up and look at the pictures.
So this is a good one for all sorts of reasons you wouldn't think.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This starts with a simple explanation of the phases of the moon. Then it spends several pages on an experiment involving a light source and an orange. (We skipped the experiment part because there was too much reading for us.) It is pretty "Just the facts, ma'am." and not fun and wacky like "The Magic Schoolbus."

I did learn something: Only one side of the moon always faces the earth and we never saw the other side until we went there by rocket. I'd never really thought about it before! (Although it makes sense since they talk about "The dark side of the moon...")

[Gina Starling · Rating 4 out of 5]

K-3

"Because the moon revolves around Earth, it seems to grow and shrink. Children can read about the phenomena of the moon’s phases and with an experiment using an orange, a pencil, and a flashlight, they can see why the moon looks different at different times of the month"

I would use this book to discuss the changes in the moon and why it changes.

[Gianina · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many moon facts in such a great book. It was too advanced for my daughter. We will have to revisit and give it a more qualified rating at that time, but I enjoyed it anyways and she learned about full, quarter and crescent moons which I consider a win.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book is a clear, yet simply told, explanation of the phases of the moon. The science of it is related for young readers, and includes an experiment to do to better understand the moon’s changes. Nicely illustrated, with diagrams also.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

We use this book along with one of those remote controlled wall hanging moons so the kids can see the phases of the moon as we read along. Lots of fun to read at bedtime.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a very helpful book to read to students when teaching the moon's rotation. You can also create models for students to see to help them understand how the moon changes monthly.

[Megan Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

2,4- Moon Phases

[Melanie Martel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a useful too for science lessons about the moon and phases. It ihasalot of useful information and some great pics.

[Hailey Dellinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for grades 2nd through 3rd grade and gives great information about the moon! This book gives more information on the importance of the moon’s role in the universe.

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geared toward kids but I learned interesting things about the moon phases that they don't teach you in school.