Skygazers are getting very excited about tomorrow. Apparently we are going to experience something called a Super Blue Blood Moon eclipse.
I’d try to explain it to you but even after reading numerous articles, I’m still baffled. What I do know is that it’s not been seen for 150 years and should be a spectacular sight, providing those pesky clouds don’t make an appearance too.
So, inspired by this lunar landmark, I’ve found five beautiful books featuring the star (or rather moon) of the show to share with your child long after the eclipse has faded.
1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Clement Hurd. £6.99 (board book), Two Hoots.
This delightful first book has been soothing babies and toddlers to sleep since 1947. The text is oh so gentle and repetitive, as the young bunny lies in his bed and says goodnight to kittens, mittens and a host of other things he can see in his room.
We just love the striking and distinct artwork too, with its palette of bottle green, bright blue, luminous orange and vivid yellow. A true classic that every child will love to hear again and again.
2. The Marvellous Moon Map by Teresa Heapy & David Litchfield. £6.99 (paperback), Red Fox.
When Mouse sets out on an adventure to find the moon, he’s determined to do it on his own, with the help of his Marvellous Moon Map. But as the dark night and dark forest surround him, he discovers that only a friend can help him on his mission.
It’s a sweet-natured story with a lovely sentiment and David Litchfield’s gorgeous artwork seems to shimmer and shine off the page like moonlight on water.
3. Luna and the Moon Rabbit by Camille Whitcher. £11.99 (hardback), Scribblers
This dreamy tale about a young girl who befriends the giant rabbit who lives in the Moon was the winner of the inaugural Stratford-Salariya Picture Book Prize, to find an unpublished author deserving of publication.
The story follows the duo as they go on a magical adventure through enchanted forests and fields together and was inspired by Japanese folklore. We especially like how the artwork simply glows on the page, like the characters are being lit by a full moon.
Read our interview with Camille Whitcher
4. One Moonlit Night by Zanna Davidson & Seo Kim. £14.99 (hardback), Templar.
Dreams come to life in this nighttime adventure over magical islands, across frothy seas and past the moon, on the back of a majestic dragon who reminds me of Falkor from The Neverending Story.
It’s also quite beautifully made, from the textural quality of Seo Kim’s illustrations to the complex pop-ups that bring each scene alive and the glittering cover.
5. Molly’s Moon Mission by Duncan Beedie. £6.99 (paperback), Templar
Ever dreamed about travelling to the Moon? Molly the moth has – but she’s determined to make her dream come true, even though her wings are tiny and she’s not completely sure of the way.
This delightful new book by Duncan Beedie has a wonderful message about never giving up and has lots of humour, as Molly mistakes light bulbs, street lamps and lighthouses for her ultimate destination. We love Duncan’s funky artwork too and there are lots of little nods to the space race between the USSR and USA too.
6. Moon: Night-time Around The World by Britta Teckentrup. £11.99 (hardback), Little Tiger
Like the water in the sea, Baby Bookworm is uncontrollably drawn to the moon in this book, which waxes and wanes in the sky using a clever peep-through device.
As the lunar cycle unfolds over the world, we see its various animal inhabitants going about their business, from a tiny field mouse to a big brown bear. It’s all brought together with gentle rhyming text and looks so good, you could hang it on your wall.
7. Maybe the Moon by Frances Ives. £12.99 (hardback), LOM Art.
A truly beautiful book with rich artwork that is centred around the reassuring and mind-blowing concept that no matter where you are in the world, the Moon looks down on you at night.
Eric lives a happy, colourful life in the forest with his animal friends until his mother takes him to live in the city, where everything is grey and strange. But as he explores, he finds new beauty, new friends and realises he will never be alone if he has the Moon. We love this positive and reassuring message.
Frances Ives picks her favourite five children’s books
8. Goodnight Baby Moon by James Mitchem, illustrated by Claire Patane. £11.99 (hardback), Dorling Kindersley.
This may seems like a novelty book thanks to the light up cover (which your child will totally adore, by the way) but there’s a quite reassuring tone to this tale for babies and toddlers.
The rabbits’ concerns about the slowly disappearing moon mirror feelings of separation anxiety but by waiting patiently, they discover that it will always return to them. The silhouette style of the artwork is perfect for grabbing the attention of very young eyes, too.
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