A stunning picture book that addresses the question: do any of us "own" nature?
When a curious cat asks the question, "Whose moon is that?", a panoply of animals try to stake their claim. The wolf, the owl, and the starry sky all have their reasons, but the moon ultimately answers for herself — her light is meant to be shared by everyone.
Kim Krans's stunning ink-and-watercolor illustrations beautifully illuminate this simple exploration of our relationship to the world around us and our place in it.
Pages: 40
Ages: 3-7
Praise
A curious cat wonders to whom the moon belongs. Many stake a claim on the orb, from a bird, a bear, and a wolf to a tree, a mountain, and the starry sky. In the end, the moon says it shines "for one and all, and none, throughout eternity." Told in the "Alouette" verse form, this is an original tale and a slight departure from Krans's concept books ABC Dream and 123 Dream. Full spreads bring the nocturnal world alive, with the night sky backgrounds in watercolor with a palette that incorporates the magical colors and movement of the aurora borealis. Each spread focuses on one particular subject and its connection with the moon. Krans's signature intricate pen-and-ink illustrations are larger-than-life, such as an image of a bear looking straight at readers, the moon dropping behind her as she says she found the moon first and doesn't "like to share." VERDICT Though much of the story line feels familiar, the art is winsome, and young readers will be enchanted with the enthralling night world that Krans has created. Recommended for general purchase. — School Library Journal
The question of who owns the moon elicits a range of verse responses.One night the "curious cat" asks, "Whose moon is that?" This prompts the tree to claim ownership. But the "bird with a song" proclaims, "The tree is wrong," and asserts possession. In response, the bear lays its claim. Then the mountain contradicts them all saying, "It's mine"—which the "starry sky" refutes as "a lie." The wolf growls its rights, pointing out that "It helps me howl." Appalled, the ocean replies, "None of this is true," adding, "It does not belong to you!" Finally, the moon responds and sets the record straight. Presented in rhyme, the cadenced text lends itself to reading aloud, enhanced by luminous, moonlit illustrations. Rendered in inky, dark, swirling watercolors punctuated with bursts of pink, lavender, yellow, and green, the night sky provides abstract background. The moon itself appears as a white sphere stippled with black dots and dominates the double-page spreads, illuminating the forest, mountains, and ocean while evoking a sense of timelessness. In contrast, the cat, bird, bear, and wolf, detailed in fine lines, effectively stand out as black-and-white close-ups, grounding viewers. A visually awesome celestial exploration. — Kirkus Reviews
