Hello, Moon by Julie Downing

Need to relax?

Unwind?

Calm down and breathe?

Hello, Moon, by Julie Downing will help you do just that. This is a gorgeously illustrated book written in rhyme. The word selection and alliteration is captivating and whether you are a little one snuggling in for the night, or a grown up with the privilege of reading it out loud, one can’t help but find themselves lulled into the beauty of the night.

The illustrations are done in watercolor and combined digitally. They have a home drawn quality to them and I enjoy seeing the texture of the watercolor paper. The digitalization of the artwork allows them to light up and gives the colors a mesmerizing, magical glow.

“Come in close,

curl up tight.

Close your eyes,

almost light.

Sweet dreams, stars.

Good morning, bright.”

When the light goes down and the moon comes up, most of us go to bed. But that is precisely when nocturnal animals wake up and explore in the light of the moon.

There are many layers and details in each illustration. The lilting poetry sings like a song. It’s not only a beautiful night-time/bed-time story, but it can open up a dialog with children about word choice. Hearing the way words sound together— next to each other, creates beats and patterns, as well as giving a description and telling a story.

I’m feeling pretty relaxed now. It might be time to go to zzzzzz….

SHOUT OUT!!!!!! WAHOOOOOOO TO ANDREA WANG AND JASON CHIN! Congratulations on your well-deserved Caldecott award for Watercress as well as all the other accolades. Seriously, though, can you believe how lucky you were that the book jacket design could accommodate ALL those shiny medals so beautifully? Yay to both of you!

Jennifer Black Reinhardt

Jennifer is the illustrator and author of several acclaimed picture books. Most recently is Always by My Side, 'A Stuffie Story', which she wrote and illustrated. She also is both the author and illustrator of Playing Possum, and Blue Ethel. Jennifer illustrated Gondra’s Treasure, written by Newbery award winner Linda Sue Park. As well as, Sometimes You Fly, by Newbery medalist, Katherine Applegate. She illustrated Yaks Yak, Animal Word Pairs by Linda Sue Park, The Inventor's Secret, What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford, by Suzanne Slade, Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons, by Alice B. McGinty, and The Adventures of a South Pole Pig, by Chris Kurtz.

14 Comments:

  1. Debra Kempf Shumaker

    This looks and sounds gorgeous! Can’t wait to find a copy!

  2. Wow, what gorgeous illustrations! I love the watercolor look. And the details! Looks like a keeper!

  3. Looks and sounds beautiful -congrats!

  4. What a gorgeous book to introduce kids to night life!

  5. Lovely – so soothing and dreamy!

  6. Janet Frenck Sheets

    Those illustrations just glow! And it sounds like the writing is just as beautiful. Thank you for highlighting Hello, Moon. I’ll be watching for it.

  7. The illustrations are beautiful! I love the lyrical passage that is shared. I can’t wait to read Hello, Moon.

  8. Mercy! This book is breathtakingly gorgeous!

  9. Fabulous illustrations! The lyrical passage shared is a great invitation to your book. I look forward to reading Hello, Moon.

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