When the Moon Is High - Hardcover

PreSchool-This soothing bedtime poem will help ease little ones into slumber. When baby can't fall asleep, Daddy takes the child for a stroll around their country home. The full moon lights the way as they encounter several animals that share the bright, calm night with them. For example, they see a creature hidden away in the long grass ("Who's that in a pocket peeking,/hide-and-seeking when the moon is high?") and a turn of the page reveals a mouse. The quiet rhythm of the language and the repetition of phrases offer a serenity that pacifies listeners. Paintings in tranquil colors, predominantly soft blues, greens, and lavender, depict an evening filled with activity. Various perspectives, changing from bird's-eye panoramas to close-up glimpses of the characters to a raccoon's ground-level view, create visually pleasing pages. The story concludes with a sweet picture of the child, illuminated by moonlight, sleeping peacefully in a crib. A gentle winner.
Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.