Moonlight

by Stephen A. Savage

A lyrical bedtime read about the captivating effects of moonlight and its nightly journey.

"Something is on the move."

When moonlight shines, it's not like most light. In the quietest hours of the night, it swings through trees and slithers down rivers. It drifts in the wake of steamships and catches on the propeller of a passing plane. It blankets neighborhoods before coming to rest by your side.

In this bedtime picture book, Stephen Savage, author and illustrator of And Then Came Hope, Babysitter from Another Planet, and the Geisel Honor book Supertruck, presents a lyrical text and illustration full of dramatic light and shadow to pay homage to the mysterious moon and the unique ways it reveals itself each night.

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

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 23, 2022

About the author

Brooklyn-based Stephen Savage is the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of 15 books for children. He is the recipient of a New York Times Best Illustrated Book award, a Sendak Fellowship, and a Geisel Honor.

Reviews

[IvyInThePages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
Characters: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Genre: Children
Type: Audio
Worth?: Yes!

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mystery, only if you didn't read the title, as the author hints at something on the move through the forest and landscape, over hill and dale, to a child's bedroom.

The most interesting piece of the book is the linocut artwork. It's different than what I've seen in other picture books and could serve as an interesting mentor text for an art class or a writing without naming creative writing prompt.

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the black darkness descends outside and the child prepares for bed and a night of sleep in the black darkness that is his or her bedroom, a dread of the black darkness can also creep into the depths of that sweet little one's mind and heart.

In Moonlight the artist/author uses a few words to tell how light seeps and creeps into the black darkness revealing blues, teals, and greens with the whiteness that is moonlight.

It simply shows that in the black darkness there is light that slips, creeps, descends, and lights the darkness.

Intended to bring encouragement to fearful children or perhaps to simply teach the beauty of the spreading moonlight on our world, the story and pictures can bring joy. It is an unusual book in that it doesn't contain an array of joyful colors and happy, lively critters. It is a book that shows that there is delight in the darkness because there is the light of the moonlight.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sliver of moonlight moves through the forest, down a river, into a valley, until it finally reaches your neighborhood and your room...and softly fades away...

A glimmer of a story, following a beam of moonlight. Beautiful illustrations. You can't help following the moonlight to its conclusion. And it ends with anticipation of its return tomorrow.

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

This beautiful bedtime story evokes the magic and mystery of moonbeams as they light the way to Dreamtime. The gorgeous blue Pantones of the Linocut artwork set the scene for peaceful sleep and fanciful reveries.

[Shallowreader VaVeros · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is beautiful as is the text.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, lyrical text and soft blue & gray illustrations make this a great bedtime read.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and lyrical. Reminded me of the rhythm and gentle flow of Freight Train by Donald Crews, which was a favorite of my kids when they were little. It was an interesting choice to name the book after the thing that is the answer to the mystery within it. Maybe this was so kids wouldn't be scared by the imagery that could be taken in a scary/dark way instead of simply mysterious and beautiful.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to believe the guy who did the Supertruck series turned up with this contemplative title about the journey of moonlight through the night and into the morning. The story ends in a child's bedroom, when the moon disappears and the sun returns. But don't worry: "The moonlight will come back tonight." Nice.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle book that follows the moonlight from the forest, to the ocean, to the city and finally into “your” bedroom where it disappears into morning. Stephen Savages signature block prints in black, white and grays illuminate the pages with moonlight peeking through the clouds. A great night-time read aloud for those small ones just getting ready to sleep.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a word---exquisite

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

With bold illustrations and a lovely use of color, this is a calming book about the scenery of the nighttime.

[Carrie Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute simple book. Love the blue hues used in the illustrations.

[Jarrod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding and dreamlike illustrations.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sparse text and illustrations set this picture book apart.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Follow the mysterious “something.” Through the trees, down a river, across the mountains and along train tracks. What is it? Where is it going?
Lyrical text and striking art.

[Holly Mueller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the simplicity and beauty of this picture book. Great mentor text!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book is a 3.5 for me, and I agree with another reviewer who pointed out that the cover and title give the mystery away. Because the book is certainly worth reading and sharing as a read aloud, perhaps NOT showing the cover or at least the title before beginning the reading would be helpful. The author carefully chooses words that build suspense and evoke a sense of mystery while playing to readers' or listeners' imagination; for instance, "swinging" (unpaged), "slithering" (unpaged), "tumbling" (unpaged), "swirling" (unpaged), and "washing out" (unpaged). Older readers will readily identify the mysterious "something" that is creeping across the horizon and onto various places, but younger ones may not guess what it is until they reach the final pages. The ink and linotype illustrations are unique and easy on the eye while somehow fitting the story and the ever-encroaching moonlight perfectly. It is obvious that the book designer paid careful attention to the color of the fonts used on each page, sometimes white and sometimes black, complementing the images but never overwhelming them. The author/illustrator has clearly spent time outdoors in the evening, waiting for the moon to fill the skies and paint everything around it before giving way to the early morning hours and the promise of sunshine. The text ultimately reassures the child who has been anticipating its arrival and its departure. This is yet another classic with a unique appearance from Stephen A. Savage sure to delight readers who might enjoy it as a bedtime read.

[Katie Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is the real standout in this picture book celebrating moonlight. I think this would be a cool book to share when discussing picture book art, especially if you could find photos or video of how Savage created it. I was a little bothered by the hollow eyed animals and beakless owl on some pages, but also know why they had to be that way given the form. The text is really soothing and this might make for a nice little bedtime read.

[Kayla Peters · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was supposed to be kind of mysterious. It is sweet and I loved the illustrations. I was a little sad at the ending. I think they could have added a little more excitement to the ending. I was a little disappointed by the anti-climactic nature of the book. Overall, I don't think I would put this book in my library in my classroom, but if I had it, I would encourage a student that is afraid of the dark to read it, so that they can find comfort in the darkness.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moonlight can go almost anywhere, even up to your house! A soft short book that sets the moon for bedtime. I saw someone else comment that while the title is one word, the cover has the title look like two words--confusing. The limited palette really draws your eye to the white of the moonlight reaching everywhere.

[Christine (Tina) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully consistent illustrations and color-scheme...shades of silvery blue, gray-blue, midnight blue contrasting with the stark white that illuminates these pages. Very nice night time story before bed for the little one. She was enchanted by the images and wanted to make sure I did not skip a page.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book on the different ways the flood of moonlight covers everything - if you ever have taken a walk in the moonlight with someone special then my feeble attempts to describe that magic need not be considered. This would be a great bedtime book for small children. A wonderful Art Deco feel to the illustrations.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. If you read this book to a group of kids you will need to hide the title. All throughout the story the author hints that something is fading away. An animal? A plane? Who knows...until you get to the end. It's moonlight. It had nice illustrations, but I just hate that the entire story was ruined by the title/cover.

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous linocut art with a limited palette tells a simple story with a captivating mystery.

Something is on the move.

Swinging through the trees,

slithering down tangled vines,

it streaks through the forest ...

What? what is it? Moonlight, of course.

The book ends in a child's room, with the reassurance that the moonlight will come back.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick guessing script young readers will know the answer to from the title: what travels fast, swinging through trees, landing on a waterfall and a mountaintop, following the wake of a ship at sea? The illustration present the answer: it is moonlight in all its capricious turns and shines. In shades of blue Savage's illustrations share moonshine's reflections.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savage's signature style shines bright in this title about where the moonlight creeps. Presented as kind of a riddle or guessing game, the pages show something moving from jungle to mountain to ocean to city.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fell in love with the cover, but the spooky vibe of the text ("something is coming...") bothers me. And though it's a minor nit, I'm still picking: is it moonlight, or moon light? It matters in search engines!

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moonlight is on the move! It moves through the night and leaves in the morning, but don't worry it will return.

The art was created with Linocuts using ink and printmaking paper.
The colors are night colors - navy, black, blue, teal, and white.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and short story--a poet's impression of moonlight--great for bedtime!--with unique block-print illustrations in a minimal blue tone color palette. I don't know where this story is set, but it feels like Hawaii. Peaceful.