Meet Me at the Moon

One of the highlights at the NCTE conference was shopping for picture books in the exhibit hall.  My savvy book shopping friend and #pb10for10 co-conspirator, Mandy, was quite good at spotting arcs for review.  I fell in love with this book as soon as I saw it.

Yes, I am just over the moon with this new title, "Meet Me at the Moon" by Gianna Marino to be released on my own mama's birthday, March 29, 2012.  In this story Mama must leave her baby elephant to climb the highest mountain in search of rain.  Mama Elephant is gone for days and days.  Will she return?  Will Little One be able to find her again?

The illustrations in this book are stunning. The incredible detail in the drawing of characters, the precision of each picture, and the use of texture and vibrant color in this African setting call readers back to the book again and again.

The delightful illustrations are balanced by the language used to tell this story.  There is a rhythm to the words, a beauty in each sentence, and a kind tone that makes the reader fall in love with the characters in this story.  Mama tells Little One, "When the night sky is bright, Little One, meet me at the moon, where the sky touches the earth."

I know the young readers in my classroom will enjoy this story.  The organization of the story and the structured pattern within can be easily understood, and perhaps considered for writing, by my students.  Though I know this book will be well loved in my classroom, I can't help but think it is the perfect book for young children at home.  It reminds me of many of our family favorites when my children were young.  You'll definitely want to add this book to your list.