Hello, Harvest Moon

Picture Book, 32 pages. Published by Clarion Books in 2017.

---

Moonshadow, Moonlings & Luna Moths

Wow! This is perhaps one of the more beautiful children's books I've reviewed this year. The illustrations by Kate Kiesler are oil and perfectly capture the poetic moonlight images in Ralph Fletcher's text. At first, the book appears quite unassuming, but by the time you've finished reading aloud your children will want to spend a full-moon night outside hiding in the moonshadow, chasing the milkweed moonlings, or dancing with luna moths. 

While not directly associated with either harvest festivals or thanks-giving celebrations, Hello, Harvest Moon is a wonderful way to frame how we honor the harvest at this time of year.

---

Ideas for Making it Real

Going outside on a night of a full moon is the best way to make a solid connection between your child's life and the book! But there are more activities sprinkled online:

• What We Do All Day's Five Moon Activities for Kids is craft-oriented for learning about the moon - be prepared for some fun messiness!
• ScienceFacts' Autumnal Equinox - Harvest Moon Activities for Kids is an excellent mini-unit of activities and learning about autumn and the moon.

---