Happy Friday! It’s great to be back on the blog. Life and work have kept me busy. I am very excited to have a Spring Break next week!
Today I would like to share a wonderful picture book with all of you. Visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Page to see a full list of perfect picture books contributed by authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians, and parents.
Title: Meet Me at the Moon
Written and Illustrated by: Gianna Marino
Published by: Penguin Group 2012
Themes: African savanna, elephants, love, water, mother/child
Audience: Ages 3-7
Opening: Beneath the shade of the baobab tree, Little One sang the calling song, and Mama came with a loving nuzzle. “The land is dry, Little One,” Mama said. “I must climb the highest mountain to ask the skies for rain.”
Synopsis: The dry season has arrived and Mama elephant must leave Little One to ask for rain. Little One does not want her Mama to leave and needs reassurance. When Little One asks Mama how she will know she still loves her, Mama tells her that when she feels the warmth of the sun, she will be loving her baby. When Little One asks how her Mama will find her again, Mama tells her to meet her at the moon when the sky is bright. Mama leaves, and the earth cracks from drought. Finally rain comes, and Little One sits in the grass and sings the calling song to her Mother. She sees Mama Elephant in the distance and they reunite under the bright moonlight.
Resources: This book was recently published, and I was unable to find online activities for it. I think that the book could be paired with non-fiction books about the African savannah and elephants. When I introduce a non-fiction subject in the library, I always pair it with a strong picture book.
Why I like this book: This book tells a heartwarming tale of a mother leaving her child for the first time. Like most young children, Little One needs lots of reassurance that her Mama loves her and will return for her. I don’t have a child of my own, but if I did, I think I would read this story to him/her before leaving for a significant period of time. (Which, for a child, could just be an afternoon) I can imagine it being a book that we would return to again and again.
Land of the Librarian 
FIrst, welcome back, Kelly! So glad to see you 🙂 Second, I LOVE this book and can’t believe you chose it! I read it last week at a book fair, and had it on my list for next week 🙂 It is so sweet and the picture are so charming! I love how nurturing the other animals are when Mama Elephant has to leave. This is just a lovely book, and I’m so glad you added it to our list!
Thanks, Susanna! It’s good to be back 🙂 The cover of this book instantly drew me in, and the story was so heartfelt and sweet that I just had to share.
Sounds like a great book. It sounds similar to Martin Waddell’s Owl Babies on the separation issue. I love elephants too, so I’m going to check this one out. Have a great spring break.
Thanks, Stacy. I am enjoying the peaceful calm of Spring Break 🙂
You’re back!! I always look forward to your selections and I’ve missed you. I saw this book in the store, but didn’t have time to look at it. I’m glad you shared this beautiful story with its great message for kids.
Thanks, Pat. I’ve missed you as well! This is a very sweet story and it is beautifully illustrated.
My son loves elephants and the cover has a beautiful illustration. A good picture book as an introduction to a non-fiction subject is something I’ve used many times with my boys over the years. Thank you!
You are very welcome, Heather. All of the illustrations in this book are equally beautiful. I love elephants as well!
I loved the illustration on the cover, it is so sweet and a very new book to. Love the message it conveys. Nice to have you back Kelly.
Thank you so much! This book does have a wonderful message and I think it will bring comfort to many children.
Hi Kelly, I am glad to have been led to your blog through Susanna’s PPBF! I am in love with the cover of this book! Seems like a truly heartwarming read. The illustrations really do so much to enhance the text. Will check this one out here in our libraries. Pinning this in my Pinterest board. 🙂
So glad to meet you, and thank you for stopping by my blog. 🙂 This book really does have the best of both worlds-strong, simple heartwarming text, and beautiful illustrations. Ah, Pinterest! I’m going to start that this week during Spring Break-my teacher friends tell me it is addictive!
Hi Kelly,
So nice to meet you. 🙂
My first job (while I was in college, other than babysitting) was in the children’s section of our local library. I love libraries and librarians! 🙂
What a beautiful story…the illustrations look charming as well. This is a issue (separation anxiety) that many children experience…I’m glad to have another in my arsenal to read and share with little ones.
Hi Vivian! I’m so happy to meet you and so glad that you love libraries and librarians 🙂 I really love my work. I’m also glad to have provided you with a great new title that you can share with your family 🙂
We missed you. Sweet, tender story that would be very reassuring for young children. Beautiful front cover and I like the idea of pairing it with some nonfiction. Lovely new book, Kelly!
Thanks, Joanna! I’ve missed you all as well. The cover is what initially drew me to the book. I was really pleased to find that it also contained a wonderful well-written story for young children.
This sounds similar to “Pappa? Do you Love me?” a book I selected awhile ago for PPBF. As this one does, it takes place on the African Savannahs. And it’s the father instead of the mother that is the subject of reassurance.
Thanks for suggesting such a compelling title for PPBF this week. Sounds like one I don’t want to miss. 🙂
Wow! I’ll have to check Susanna’s ppbf page to find your book. I love books like this one. Another great title with a similar theme is Mem Fox’s book Koala Lou-one of my very favorite picture books. Thanks, Clar!
I’ll look for it at the library. Nice meeting over at Susanna’s huh? 🙂
This looks so precious. I just added it to my need to read list. I’ll bet my library doesn’t even have it yet…but maybe I’ll be lucky. At any rate, it will stay on the list until I find it!
It is pretty new, but it’s such a great title I’m sure it will be there soon! Thanks, Penny!
I don’t know how I managed to miss this one, but isn’t it adorable! And I love Elephants 🙂 Hope you are well Kelly.
Thanks, Catherine! I love elephants, too, and this book is precious!
What a stand out cover, and I love your review. My husband is leaving town next week. Do you think it would be a good book for either parent leaving town (even though this is a mom and baby book)?
Sorry for the late response, Hannah. Yes, i think this book would work for either parent.