Fool Moon Rising: Children's Book Review

    I love-love-love children's books!  One of my favorite classes in college, to become an elementary level school teacher, was my children's literature class, taught by the college's head librarian, who was also my boss.  Fun to look at the depth and wisdom found between the covers of so many children's stories.

    Fool Moon Rising is a children's story based on the following verse from First Corinthians 4:7 (the Bible):

What do you have that God hasn't given you? 
And if everything you have is from God, why do you boast as though it were not a gift?

    In Fool Moon Rising, the moon has decided to tell a tale of his pride - but in the end, learns to be humble by recognizing from where his power comes.

Publisher's summary:

    Fool Moon Rising tells the tale of a crime of cosmic proportions:  the moon, blinded by pride, fails to see the source of his abilities—the light provided by the sun. He boasts of his ability to shine, to change shape throughout the year, and to swell the sea. One day, overwhelmed by a piercing ray of sunshine, the moon repents of his pride and changes his ways. From that point on, he is happy to reflect the sun’s light.

The author/illustrator team:

Kristi and T. Lively Fluharty

    Kristi and T. Lively Fluharty live in Prior Lake, MN, with their five daughters.
T. Lively (Tom) is an illustrator whose artwork has appeared in numerous publications. Kristi holds a BA in technical journalism and currently homeschools their children, teaches Sunday school, and teaches swimming lessons.

What I thought:

Pros:   

• Mr. Fluharty's artwork is amazing.  Not only is it beautiful, but it's humorous and fun! 
• The gentle approach to showing children their own pride, and explaining boasting, is needed for everyone reading this book, including mom and dad (and me).
• After the story is finished, two pages in the back of the book share some random "outer space" facts for children to learn about.  
• I would have enjoyed seeing a children's explanation of how the moon causes the waves and tides to "do their thing."  But this book does open up a world of discussion that can take place since some of the cosmic concepts aren't explained.
  

Cons:

• The text of the poetry was a bit weaker than I'd hoped to read.  I guess I was just expecting a bit more creativity combined with strength in the text.
• One of the pages of artwork could possibly frighten a small child.  My girls thought it was creepy, but other reviews I've read have mentioned that their little 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old children loved the entire book and have begged to have it read to them numerous times.  So maybe it's just my family that thinks this!  Here's the page, just so you'll have an idea of whether or not it would freak out your littles.  (It's a big 9" x 10" illustration, just so you know.)
  

    Fool Moon Rising's website contains a preview of the book, screensavers and wallpapers, a little bit more about the author and illustrator, and sketches and paintings by the illustrator.

    Have you ever had a children's storybook impact you as an adult?  Which book was it?

    I received one copy of Fool Moon Rising in exchange for my honest review of this book.  No other compensation was provided.  Learn more about Crossway Publisher's latest books on their book blog!

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