Guarding the Moon: A Mother's First Year

by Francesca Lia Block

The author of the critically acclaimed, award–winning Weetzie Bat books offers a compelling celebration of the first year of her child's life. Guarding the Moon chronicles the joys and terrors of motherhood, from the early stages of the author's pregnancy through her baby's first birthday. This unique but far–reaching story makes for a gem of a book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Parenting, Biography Memoir, Essays, Ebooks, Childrens

182 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

About the author

Francesca Lia Block is the author of more than twenty-five books of fiction, non-fiction, short stories and poetry. She received the Spectrum Award, the Phoenix Award, the ALA Rainbow Award and the 2005 Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as other citations from the American Library Association and from the New York Times Book Review, School Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly. She was named Writer-in-Residence at Pasadena City College in 2014. Her work has been translated into Italian, French, German Japanese, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish and Portuguese. Francesca has also published stories, poems, essays and interviews in The Los Angeles Times, The L.A. Review of Books, Spin, Nylon, Black Clock and Rattle among others. In addition to writing, she teaches creative writing at University of Redlands, UCLA Extension, Antioch University, and privately in Los Angeles where she was born, raised and currently still lives.

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second time I have read this book, but the first time since I had kids. If you’re unfamiliar with Block’s writing, it might take some time to get used to the expressive, flowery language. It’s worth it, though. What was impactful to me twelve years ago is now poignant, accurately described truth.

Everyone’s journey to motherhood is different. Some of us are incredibly, indescribably sick for the duration. Some of is struggle to conceive or suffer miscarriages. Some of us have no trouble of any kind. But we all have hope and fear and love and hope. (Yes, hope is important enough to list twice.) We all have doubts about ourselves and our abilities.

Block’s honesty about her turmoils, her struggles, and her triumphs may seem small at times, but they loom large when you have endured the same trial, or fought through the same doubts, or even tried something outside of your own comfort zone in order to help or teach or simply be with your child- no matter how that child came to be yours.

We are all guardians of the moon and Block illustrates with utmost candor how important our guardianship truly is.

[Emilia P · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I wanted Tori Amos's book to be, really. Mystical, practical, honest, yet artful. FLB is kind of like a less totally mean version of Tori anyway...
A reflection on the first year of motherhood of FLB. She's still her silly self and it is interesting to realize that she totally just wants to be Weetzie Bat and that's not a bad thing. She doesn't change that much in motherhood--there is a lot of reflection on beauty and awkwardnesses and sad times and good times. She talks about nursing a lot and how mother and child nourish each other in very basic and also profound terms. Mostly I like it because she manages to sustain and integrate the joy and terror and even some of the mundane of motherhood for the whole book without getting technical or whiny about it.
I kind of want my mommy to read it.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most books in the "New Mother" genre romanticize the experience, and this one's no exception. I loved the language, the endearments and the honesty, but I had to remind myself this small book is the author's experience, not mine. There's nothing romantic or endearing about colic and a little post-partum depression.

[Swankivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guarding the Moon is Ms. Block's poetic nonfiction book, detailing her experiences in the first year of being a mother. Her daughter, Jasmine, is the subject of this book (though her name is mentioned only once in the actual text; all through the narrative she is referred to by fifty-odd nicknames). Here she gives us a story of pain, fear, wonder, sadness, and love, centered around her baby girl and her family and personal life, including touching recollections of her own adolescence, her struggles with eating disorders, her changing self-image, her miscarriages, her experiences with yoga and nursing, and her own relationship with her mother. Reading this book gives one a powerful understanding of what being a mother is like for one unique woman, and most readers will see pieces of themselves in her experience.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a poetic memoir detailing the author's feelings during her pregnancy and her child's first year. The language was beautiful and felt like an honest recounting of the joys, fears, and sleep-deprived craziness of new motherhood. Though the book takes a bit of a romantic look at the experience, I loved the way that the author's love for her baby came through the vibrant language. At the same time, the author honestly reflected on the frustrations and annoyances--feeling a loss to her marital relationship, fear for the safety of her daughter even when there was nothing to worry about, desire to have time to herself while simultaneously feeling a physical need to hold her daughter at all times. Reading this helped me to reflect on my own feelings as the mother of a baby girl. Recommended for mothers wanting to read about the experience.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this when it was published in 2003 and I was a freshman in high school, because I read everything FLB put out as soon as I could get a copy in my hands. Reading it at that age was a ‘meh’ experience. Reading it now as a new mother, I loved it. I could relate to almost everything she wrote about and I marked several passages that particularly resonated. I did find all of the pet names for baby to be cloying and cutesy, but I have noticed I find some aspects of her writing twee as I age, and that’s on me. Still recommend as postpartum reading.

[Taryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poetic (and quick) read about this author's first year with her baby girl, Jasmine. Best known for her young adult "Weetzy Bat" series, it was refreshing to hear more of the author's true voice--and still see the similarities in her creative language.

[Lucy Somerhalder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Francesca Lia Block, she's just wonderful. This book was lyrical, honest, magical and really moving. Like everything she writes.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was no great masterpiece, but like so many of Block's other books, it turns out to have been exactly what I needed to read at this point in time.

[Rosie Korzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book last night while cuddling my sleeping 11 month old son. This is one of those rare, special books that I realize while reading it will be one of my favorite books for life. I hope to reread this with each impending pregnancy, while.holding each baby, and someday to remember the magic of this whole experience of new motherhood. It is so beautiful and captures the poetry and magic of pregnancy and motherhood and precious sweet little babies. Oh my heart 🖤

[Allison Floyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even if, like me, you have never wanted children, are not high femme, and can't directly relate to a fair amount of this content, it's beautiful, and a pleasure to read, and odds are, if you've ever had a plant, or a pet, or a small human in your life who's bewitched you, you'll get it.

And, yes, I'm on another FLB bender! #mentalmashedpotatoes

[Jacqueline Brocker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and lovely book which I'd meant to read for years, and now that I've just given birth to a child myself, it seemed high time to read it. Written in Block's signature style - poetic, fairytale esque, dream-like, taking in the melancholic beauty of the world and her experience. I'm very glad I read it now - I doubt my 20 year old self (age when it came out) would have appreciated it, despite loving Block's work as much as I do.

[mairead! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read during one very long Sunday morning nap. Especially enjoyed thoughts on transitioning from breast milk to food and oneness and wonder. Really beautiful imagery but also authentic and real. And present. Inspired!

[Judith Beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Francesca Lia Block's books with their magical worlds and pretty writing... This book gave me an insight to her as a person. A raw and honest account of her first year as a parent, filled with love. I loved all of her names for her daughter.

[Cherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this after my daughter's birth, in those first days. Block truly captures the magic, the difficulty, the deep love in the first year of your child's life. So very beautiful. Will buy for my next pregnant friend.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Read it when Rebekah was a baby.

[Sarah Koz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her kids are really lucky.

[Lostre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely in love. As a new mom myself, this really spoke to me.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. I've never felt so close to an author or any other person before.

I have never highlighted, been given goosebumps, nodded in agreement or almost cried from pure joy over what I read. And so much of it related to me I had to include quotes in this review:

Every word is truth. All of the fears, the longing, the love, it's all here. Like she pulled the words from my soul and wrote them on paper.

"She definetely knows Mamma and Dada, which she repeats over and over like and incantation that always brings us to her. At first it seems that "Mama" is spoken in times of distress, and certainly hunger, and "Dada" only while she is playing. I'm not sure how that makes me feel-proud to be of comfort, wisful that I'm not necessarily the one in the family to be called on for fun." This was Hayden.

I remember bringing my son home from the hospital thinking that I didn't want to have him exposed to the dirty air, the pollution, the sun, the mean cars and traffic, he was safest with me, in my tummy. I wanted him there- and I got so comfortable with him inside of me that I never wanted to let him go. He was my treasure, my secret, my little play mate who was always safe from the harsh world out here.

I felt like my heart was taken out of me and was now sleeping in his baby swing to the soft melodies of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole which we found would keep him asleep for hours at a time. I would stare at my little bundle in wonder. He came out of me. Just days ago he was safe inside of me and now he has to fend for himself in this world. It just broke my heart. I wanted him near, but he prefers to be on his own.

I didn't want him to eat our food. Our food has nasties in it. I only wanted him to have my milk. Milk that was making him grow at a rapid pace. It was hard to believe that he would need more than milk once he hit a certain age.

I don't want kids to pick on him, I don't want anyone to hurt him, I don't want him to feel like he's ever alone. I want to keep him as safe as possible and shield him from this terrible world. I don't want to share him and I don't want him ever to leave. He is my world. He's the one thing that makes me beam with happiness. I love how he gets excited when he see's his daddy and they play and romp on the floor. I love how he exclaims "daa!" when he see's our dogs. He's just smiles all the time. And if he's upset or hurt I just want to cry for him. I swear it hurts me more than it hurts him.

I felt like I could have wrote this book. And if you're a mother I'm sure you'll relate to it as well. She took the words right from me and put them on paper. And I'm so glad she did. This is probably the best book I've ever read and probably will ever read. Nothing can top the amazement and wonder a child brings to your life. Everything you gave up to have this child goes away and your life becomes anew with life you never knew you could feel.

If you're a mother I think this is a must read.

[miteypen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book, except for one jarring note: the way the author kept using nicknames for her daughter all through the book. Names like Twinkerbell and Dolly Dumpling and Flower Fairy; amazingly enough, she never duplicates the nicknames once (that I can recall). This might seem like a picky point, but it got on my nerves and made it harder to enjoy the writing, which is simple but lyrical.

This is not a detailed description of a baby's progression from birth to one year old, but rather impressions and observations about the joy and wonder of being a mother. Nor is this a realistic depiction of how hard it is to get through that first year; the author focuses on the good parts and barely touches on the bad. That probably makes this a suitable book to give as a baby shower gift--it is uplifting rather than anxiety-producing.

The author gives little hints along the way of her own background: two miscarriages, a history of eating disorders and probably body dysmorphia, various insecurities, and self-hatred. But she doesn't dwell on these things except to say that being a mother has given her a new purpose for and perspective about her self and her life.

This book is short--only 182 pages--which is ideal for a new mother. I've read books that I thought were more representative of what being a mother is about, but none that were as celebratory of the baby herself. This is basically a love poem from a mother to her baby daughter.

[Julie Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Francesca Lia Block has always had a magical way of viewing the world, and she is especially gifted at poetically portraying a girl's experience in the world. Now with her nonfiction book about her baby daughter, Jasmine, Ms. Block tells not only of motherhood but of her own childhood and her relationship with her mother. Some of the anecdotes are sad and even frightening, and some are sweet. Block weaves some magic into her motherhood days, and unabashedly shares with us some of her silly fears and persistent anxieties that she even laughed at herself while she was having them. And a little bit of spirituality and interconnection leaks into this, as Block does celebrate this birth as a moving into the Mother phase of life and celebrating traditionally feminine moon-related images. Throughout the book she also features a variety of tender and sometimes silly nicknames for her baby. It's wonderful to feel the waves of her caring.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

When this book was first published, I was in auto-read mode for all things FLB. I read anything she wrote immediately and it took a lot of self-control to save this for a more fitting time, a special time: pregnancy! but I did! And I'm SO glad I did. I loved reading this, as a hyper-curious mother-to-be and I think it'll be something I re-read as a new mother in October.
I've seen some reviews call it an over-romanticized view, and in some ways in may be, but if you're a fan of FLB's beautiful, whimsical writing- then you'll know it's really not. She includes the ugly, painful bits of new-motherhood in her own way. She just cannot write something that is not pretty and as a reader and fan, I appreciate that to no end.

This is not a how-to, it is simply one mother's experience and I loved it.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read, but one I might read again. Although it has been 30 years (YIKES!) since I had my first child, there are feelings and perceptions that never leave you from that time in your life. I am a bit too sensible to appreciate all of Block's nicknames for her child, but the basic premise of the book--that is that you are created by your baby, and not the reverse--is one that only the most callous of mothers does not know. God bless Francesca Lia Block for saying it. It's so unfashionable these days to view motherhood as anything more or less than one of a million other choices. It will only take a couple hours to read, and it might just lift your spirits if you are so inclined.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Non-Fiction, First-time Mother Memoir) I loved Block's lyrical language as she is captivated by the beauty and growth of her baby daughter while struggling to to read poetry and write thoughts that luminate the love she has for her daughter. She is honest about resenting the changes in her body and the struggle of sleep-deprivation. I loved the tone of Block's book; she inspires me to go easy on myself during the first year of motherhood and just let myself be captivating by the baby and my new role as a mother.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I heard that in experiments they were able to measure love--people's brains lit up. I felt mine ignite with a thousand sparklers when I saw my perfect valentine. She is like my heart made visible..."

Such a stunning, absolutely perfect book. My heart swelled--as it always does while reading Francesca's words--and I am so sad to have ended this book, and depart from her colorful, lovely world. But at the same time, I'm thankful that Francesca exists and that she has published so many other beautiful books.

[Tina Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whether you have kids, are expecting, waiting for the right time or never want them at all this is an enjoyable interesting read. Especially if you like Francesca Lia Block's fiction. Even though this is non fiction you can tell it's written by the same author. That same dose of fairy tale in reality that is in her fiction is in this as well.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Francesca Lia Block's books, I learned alot from this. While the book is rewarding for its content on motherhood alone, what I really enjoyed were the autobiographical glimpses: the issues with her father, love for her mother, eating disorder at a young age. I finally learned some deep, tangible facts about my favorite author. A great read!

[Mindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Francesca Lia Block becomes a mother. There were sentences and paragraphs of this book that were lovely. They resonated with me very strongly; they were poetic or otherwise magical. But as a whole, the book felt uneven. Though the first year of mothering is also a bit uneven. So it works, I think.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet little book. A good read for new parents or parents-to-be. Beautiful prose, as per usual for Block, and she describes her experience of parenting in the first year so well. I also loved all the different nicknames she came up with for her child. Some may find this too twee, but if you do have that problem then Block's writing in general is probably not for you.

[Thespian999 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is her first nonfiction. It's about the first year of motherhood with her daughter. It's amazing. I doubt many guys will relate but I think every woman can, even if they aren't mothers. It explains how wonderful your own child truly is.