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Moon: A Stunningly Illustrated Story About an Over-Scheduled Child Finding Wild Freedom in a Fantastical Forest for Children
Like many children, Moon leads a busy life. School, homework, music lessons, sports, and the next day it begins again. She wonders if things could be different. Then, one night, she meets a wolf.
The wolf takes Moon deep into the dark, fantastical forest and there she learns to howl, how to hide, how to be still, and how to be wild. And in that, she learns what it’s like to be free.
The wolf takes Moon deep into the dark, fantastical forest and there she learns to howl, how to hide, how to be still, and how to be wild. And in that, she learns what it’s like to be free.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
July 25, 2018
I have loved Alison Oliver's illustrations for the Babylit books, and when I saw this book the other day at The King's English (we were there for the launch of the final Babylit Primer: Peter Pan!), I instantly recognized Oliver's style and had to read this book.
And then I had to own it.
Because it's wonderful.
The story that goes along with the gorgeous illustrations is fantastic, in this day and age when kids are on anxiety meds because they feel so overwhelmed and stressed out. I feel like this book was aimed directly at my 9yo daughter, and I mostly bought it for her. And she loved it, too, and found the words and pictures very soothing.
All the stars, all the praise for this book!
And then I had to own it.
Because it's wonderful.
The story that goes along with the gorgeous illustrations is fantastic, in this day and age when kids are on anxiety meds because they feel so overwhelmed and stressed out. I feel like this book was aimed directly at my 9yo daughter, and I mostly bought it for her. And she loved it, too, and found the words and pictures very soothing.
All the stars, all the praise for this book!
April 9, 2021
An over-scheduled young girl learns what it's like to be a wild child from a very unlikely source.
With gorgeous and unusual artwork by the author.
With gorgeous and unusual artwork by the author.
February 2, 2022
Moon is all work and no play. Her life is filled with school, homework, tutoring sessions, music lessons, sports, and chores. One evening while watching a falling star, she encounters a wolf that changes her life. She learns to play, to howl, and to tap into her wild side. I love that Moon is purple. 3.5 stars.
September 10, 2018
The message of children needing time to be free to explore their natural surroundings is told in a fanciful way that will capture the imagination of both children and adults alike. The accompanying illustrations are truly lovely.
January 21, 2019
I picked this book up because of the beautiful cover. Of course, it ended up being another one of those books with kids following wild animal tracks into potential danger. (I can sure pick them today!)
Unlike the other book I read today that could've ended with kids getting eaten (The New LiBEARian by Alison Donald), this one was about wolves rather than bears. I'm not entirely sure it was supposed to be literal or if it all took place in Moon's imagination. In any case, it showed her following a set of wolf tracks and then going to play with the wolves all night in the forest.
I can't fault the message about getting back to nature and learning to be a little wild. However, in books like this I'd like to see the line between fantasy and reality a little more clearly demarcated.
The illustrations aren't as great as I thought they'd be, judging by the cover. They're atmospheric, certainly, but kind of simple. Moon is a strange-looking kid (especially in profile) and the wolves are kind of funny looking (especially their toes). I'm still not sure if I like the pictures in this one.
Overall, I didn't find this one quite as problematic as The New LiBEARian, although I would still recommend it more to older kids who can understand that following wild wolves into the forest is not a great idea.
Unlike the other book I read today that could've ended with kids getting eaten (The New LiBEARian by Alison Donald), this one was about wolves rather than bears. I'm not entirely sure it was supposed to be literal or if it all took place in Moon's imagination. In any case, it showed her following a set of wolf tracks and then going to play with the wolves all night in the forest.
I can't fault the message about getting back to nature and learning to be a little wild. However, in books like this I'd like to see the line between fantasy and reality a little more clearly demarcated.
The illustrations aren't as great as I thought they'd be, judging by the cover. They're atmospheric, certainly, but kind of simple. Moon is a strange-looking kid (especially in profile) and the wolves are kind of funny looking (especially their toes). I'm still not sure if I like the pictures in this one.
Overall, I didn't find this one quite as problematic as The New LiBEARian, although I would still recommend it more to older kids who can understand that following wild wolves into the forest is not a great idea.
July 26, 2019
Moon has a schedule she follows -- school, homework, sports, music lessons and so on. She wonders what it would be like to be wild and free. One night, Moon steps outside to watch the shooting stars in the night sky. She looks down and notices paw prints. Following the tracks, she meets a wolf, whom she befriends. The wolf teaches Moon its wolfy-ways. They pounce, howl and learn how to be still and listen. The next day, Moon teaches her classmates the wolfy-ways.
This delightful book reminds us of the importance of play and imagination. The illustrations are large and encompassing. They compliment and express the text. Though it is nice to get back to nature, I feel it is also important to teach children to be cautious when following animal tracks. Discovery is great, but safety is paramount. I feel children kindergarten and up will enjoy this book.
This delightful book reminds us of the importance of play and imagination. The illustrations are large and encompassing. They compliment and express the text. Though it is nice to get back to nature, I feel it is also important to teach children to be cautious when following animal tracks. Discovery is great, but safety is paramount. I feel children kindergarten and up will enjoy this book.
December 7, 2017
Moon and Max (of Where the Wild Things Are fame) would be BFFs. Charming and imaginative, with glimpses of sly humor in the illustrations. We should all learn to take more time like Moon to be still, be wild, and be free.
August 29, 2018
Beautifully illustrated, with a simple story about mindfulness through getting in touch with your inner wolf.
November 24, 2021
Moon is a book we borrowed from the library, and I'm having a hard time convincing my kids we have to take it back! I promised to buy them a copy for their shelves, and they eventually relented.
I initially grabbed this one because of the beautiful cover, but the author conveys something really important within the story that children (and adults) will be able to relate to.
Every day Moon has a schedule that she follows -- school, sports, lessons, etc. She doesn't feel like she has time for herself, and then something wonderful happens when she ventures outside one night. She spends time with wolves, and they teach her how to play. They also show her how to be still and listen (bonus points for the author!).
Sometimes I think parents and adults forget how important it is to play. It's crucial to a child's development and their happiness. Adults should also play -- firing synapses and whatnot -- but it's not healthy for kids to have their entire day planned around work and expectations. They need time to just exist, even if it's in their own head.
I love the message Moon presents, and the delicate way the author shared her story. I highly recommend this one.
I initially grabbed this one because of the beautiful cover, but the author conveys something really important within the story that children (and adults) will be able to relate to.
Every day Moon has a schedule that she follows -- school, sports, lessons, etc. She doesn't feel like she has time for herself, and then something wonderful happens when she ventures outside one night. She spends time with wolves, and they teach her how to play. They also show her how to be still and listen (bonus points for the author!).
Sometimes I think parents and adults forget how important it is to play. It's crucial to a child's development and their happiness. Adults should also play -- firing synapses and whatnot -- but it's not healthy for kids to have their entire day planned around work and expectations. They need time to just exist, even if it's in their own head.
I love the message Moon presents, and the delicate way the author shared her story. I highly recommend this one.
May 9, 2018
A gentle reminder how very necessarily vital nature is to our health and well being.
July 16, 2018
Jessica found this book by the BabyLit illustrator when we were at the King's English for Jen Adams' Peter Pan release party, and I love it so: I love the color schemes, illustrations, word choice, and, especially, the message. It uses the words "wolfie ways," what's not to love?
August 30, 2018
Charming picture book that describes Moon's transformation from busy, hardworking student to adventurous, spirited, playful girl who embraces "wolfy ways" in the Great Forest. While the text may be simple and straightforward, it's the gorgeous illustrations that make this book so memorable - executed in watercolor, brush pen, charcoal, and potato stamp, and assembled digitally. With an ethereal palette of purples, white/gray/black shading, and blue-greens, author/illustrator Alison Oliver shares Moon's wild, untamed fascination with the forest and the wolves and all the hidden things that take place there (pouncing, playing, howling, and even being still and listening). Lovely.
Read
August 29, 2018Normally I don't review picture books but this one was so beautiful. I want half of the pages framed and hung on my wall immediately. I LOVE that part of Moon "learning to be wild" is about her learning "How to be still, how to listen and feel." I'm so intrigued by the idea that mindfulness of one's surroundings is a form of "wildness," and I love how this helps Moon handle the pressures of school.
July 14, 2021
Featured in a grandma reads session.
This is a quick, sweet read, more fitting at bedtime, I think. Moon, a rather purple person is looking for a way to free her inner child sooner rather than later. She wanders into the forest and makes friends with some wolf-y types, and soon moves in with them. The entire wolf clan takes her in and bonds with her, teaching her their wolf-y ways. She learns to ramble and roam, howl and prowl, play and wrestle wolf-style. They love her, and she loves them.
Eventually she returns to her human world, but keeps most of her wolf-y ways, teaching her friends and family how to howl and prowl, to ramble and roam and to accept another being wholeheartedly, and then let them go when they need to go.
A sweet message, that resonated with my listeners. Happy nods, like that is the way it ought to be. Lovely artwork.
This is a quick, sweet read, more fitting at bedtime, I think. Moon, a rather purple person is looking for a way to free her inner child sooner rather than later. She wanders into the forest and makes friends with some wolf-y types, and soon moves in with them. The entire wolf clan takes her in and bonds with her, teaching her their wolf-y ways. She learns to ramble and roam, howl and prowl, play and wrestle wolf-style. They love her, and she loves them.
Eventually she returns to her human world, but keeps most of her wolf-y ways, teaching her friends and family how to howl and prowl, to ramble and roam and to accept another being wholeheartedly, and then let them go when they need to go.
A sweet message, that resonated with my listeners. Happy nods, like that is the way it ought to be. Lovely artwork.
July 15, 2018
Like Flo this is a book promoting spontaneity and freedom to children. However the author recognizes that kids are allowed no control in scheduling their lives, and so offers them mindfulness as a useful skill to bring down the stress. It's pretty, and it is trying to be helpful, but I feel like it's making the wrong point. "You have no autonomy, so learn to chill" may be a good strategy for harm reduction, but to me it feels defeatist. I don't think I want young children to be told that everyone thinks their lives are over-scheduled and over-supervised and over-directed, but no one is going to change that so the burden is on kids to learn to deal.
On the other hand I recognise that kids aren't all that good at collective bargaining or organized resistance, so maybe I am over thinking this. Still, I'd like to see more books telling kids it is okay to rage against the machine.
Library copy
On the other hand I recognise that kids aren't all that good at collective bargaining or organized resistance, so maybe I am over thinking this. Still, I'd like to see more books telling kids it is okay to rage against the machine.
Library copy
September 13, 2018
Is this a book about a girl discovering she's a furry or about a girl who learns how to zen out of anxiety attacks? It's up to you!
August 15, 2018
Wouldn’t we all like to disconnect from the world once in a while and connect to our wild side? To be free and just let go, to experience our wild side.
Moon wondered what it would be like to be free. Free from doing what she was supposed to be doing. Free from her to do-lists. Free from responsibility. Moon tried looking inside her books on how to do this but she couldn’t find the answer. She went to her window to look outside, where she spotted a shooting star. Excited, she raced outside to view more of them but instead Moon ended up taking an adventure into the night. Riding upon a wolf, Moon learns how to be wild and free. She has finally found her wild side so when she returns home, she can take it with her.
What a fun, entertaining way to show kids how to unwind. In a world where everyone is running around, where schedules are overloaded, this book is perfect.
Moon wondered what it would be like to be free. Free from doing what she was supposed to be doing. Free from her to do-lists. Free from responsibility. Moon tried looking inside her books on how to do this but she couldn’t find the answer. She went to her window to look outside, where she spotted a shooting star. Excited, she raced outside to view more of them but instead Moon ended up taking an adventure into the night. Riding upon a wolf, Moon learns how to be wild and free. She has finally found her wild side so when she returns home, she can take it with her.
What a fun, entertaining way to show kids how to unwind. In a world where everyone is running around, where schedules are overloaded, this book is perfect.
August 30, 2018
Beautiful story with some stunning illustrations. This is a perfect story about a girl who is so bogged down with everything the world lays on her shoulders (school, extracurriculars, and so on) - and she goes on with her life until a wolf reminds her what it is like to be free and wild. An excellent story for really all ages (but if you are looking for grade levels - I would put it at like 2nd or 3rd).
May 12, 2018
Fun little story about balancing the busy day to day activities and constraints in life with letting loose and having some fun out in the wild. The illustrations make the book. The color palette is made up of gorgeous purples and turquoises. They’re fantastic. 3.5 stars
May 23, 2018
Moon is a really cute story about a girl who is so overwhelmed by daily life that she forgets how to have fun. One night while looking for shooting stars, Moon finds a wolf who teaches her how be wild and carefree. The wolf reminds moon how to forget about her stresses and enjoy life, which is something we can all stand to learn. The artwork is beautiful, following a dark color scheme with pops of purple and white and showing lots of different textures. Moon is an inspiring book that made me want to run with the wolves myself.
June 15, 2018
I love wolves and so I loved this book. It's good to connect with your wild side once in awhile.
June 9, 2018
Just got back from Yellowstone and this picture book perfectly captures the way I feel about my week in wild places. Beautiful message and art.
May 18, 2018
An appealing reminder for overscheduled children of the need for play and stillness.
August 17, 2019
Moon is busy living a regimented life full of schoolwork and after-school activities. “What would it be like to be free?” she wonders. One night, she meets a wolf who teaches her its wolfy ways. And Moon is changed forever.
This is a delightful book about a girl searching for meaning in her life of drudgery. When she breaks free, she discovers the joys of play, nature, and even stillness, and sets about sharing her new wisdom with others. The gorgeous illustrations, also by the author, feature a palette of purple, blue, green, black, and white to simulate the night.
An important message for both children and their parents.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
This is a delightful book about a girl searching for meaning in her life of drudgery. When she breaks free, she discovers the joys of play, nature, and even stillness, and sets about sharing her new wisdom with others. The gorgeous illustrations, also by the author, feature a palette of purple, blue, green, black, and white to simulate the night.
An important message for both children and their parents.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
April 12, 2019
An unexpected read. I chose to read this book based on the title and cover. I didn't expect for Moon, the main character, to basically be to structured//busy in her life that she doesn't know how to relax. I thought it was a great way to show children who are anxious about school that you need balance in life. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but that's what I got from this story.
October 10, 2018
Children's books make me so happy! At least this one did!
Moon should be required reading for adults because it serves as a reminder that we all need to make time for play. We need time for exploring. We need time to be wild. We need time to just BE.
So many people are over-scheduled, and children are no exception. I don't recall my time being quite so packed as kids these days, even as a teenager. True, I became busy with classes, Choir, German Club, and my part-time job in high school once I had transportation. However, there was still time to read for fun, watch TV or anime, or hang out with my friends.
I think Moon would really help people to see that it's okay not to have a packed schedule. It's fine if you have nothing to do for several hours a day (which don't include sleeping). Even making time to just sit in the silence can do wonders for the body and mind. Here's hoping more readers will find this adorable picture book.
Moon should be required reading for adults because it serves as a reminder that we all need to make time for play. We need time for exploring. We need time to be wild. We need time to just BE.
So many people are over-scheduled, and children are no exception. I don't recall my time being quite so packed as kids these days, even as a teenager. True, I became busy with classes, Choir, German Club, and my part-time job in high school once I had transportation. However, there was still time to read for fun, watch TV or anime, or hang out with my friends.
I think Moon would really help people to see that it's okay not to have a packed schedule. It's fine if you have nothing to do for several hours a day (which don't include sleeping). Even making time to just sit in the silence can do wonders for the body and mind. Here's hoping more readers will find this adorable picture book.
April 6, 2021
Moon is a young girl who is over-scheduled and stressed out. She wishes she could be wild and free. One night she sees a shooting star and goes outside to look at the sky. What she learns will change her life. Stunning illustrations add to the ambiance and mood of the story, which packs a message that we all need to hear - slow down and enjoy the ride! A nice group or individual read aloud.
May 19, 2018
Stunningly beautiful illustrations.
May 20, 2018
absolutely stunning
September 4, 2018
A future classic Oh and lots of Wolves!!!! :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews