Moon Pops

Product Information

Turning the page catches readers by surprise, though: the family of fireflies is decidedly comical and silly-looking. The paper figures are various animals who all live together in a crowded apartment building with their own interesting apartments to look into as well.

I can say this as a sweeping remark, in my experience they offer a different perspective anywhere from the sense of humor to subject matter to the illustrations. The text is simple and clear, but the real shining star here are the illustrations, which are diorama-like photographs.

At first unsure what do with the drops, she is soon inspired to turn them into popsicles--moon pops! The image of the tenants enjoying their moon pops, which also adorns the book’s cover, shows the creatures gazing incredulously at their gleaming treats in the dark of night, their faces illuminated by their moon pops’ light. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice.

All is finally quiet, until two rabbits come knocking at the door—they have come from the moon, which has melted away. Translated from Korean with exceptional, detailed 3D collage illustrations, this is a reimagining of the East Asian tale of the rabbit in the moon. Illustrated in otherworldly mixed-media dioramas, this quirky and colorful picture book spins a new story from the common East Asian fable of the rabbit in the moon. Similarly, the text moves from a lulling, magical cadence to a distinct shift in mood as the bugs ready themselves for their foray into the night: “They wave their bottoms in the air, wiggle their feelers, take a deep, deep breath, and sing, ‘Here we go, it’s time to glow!And so on, until Mom’s enticing promise of treasure in the deep sea persuades her little Treasure Hunter to take a dive. Trying in vain to get to sleep, the residents of a cramped apartment building turn on their air conditioners and fans, and leave their fridges open, causing a power outage!

It has a soft, dark look that makes it seem like something creepy is around the corner, but with the lights in the right places, it highlights the feeling of togetherness. She is an internationally acclaimed Korean children’s book author and illustrator and has won the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.I loved Doerr’s earlier novel, All the Light We Cannot See, but had not gravitated to this one – until now. On a very hot summer evening, when nothing seems to work to keep a group of neighbors cool, the moon starts melting. At first unsure what to do with the drops, she is soon inspired to turn them into popsicles—moon pops! The language isn’t quite as basic, though, and as it rendered entirely in dialogue—Mother Pig’s lines are italicized—adult readers will have to work hard at their vocal characterizations for it to make any sense. Granny’s solution for getting the rabbits back to their home on the moon also involves shimmering lights and wondrous, sparkling orbs that shine against the cloudy, starless night sky.

This retelling of the Korean folktale of the Legend of the Moon Rabbit is the perfect book to read on a sweltering summer evening. I absolutely loved this story and I loved the papery, collage-style illustrations accentuated by the glowing yellow of the melted moon.

It was especially fun to note how many kids said they would enjoy spending a day with Granny, the main character. And my colleague Mary recommends Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin – A book about creativity, friendship set against the world of gaming. Alterations is like the century egg Kevin eats: On the outside, it looks like a story about middle school drama, but once you bite in, you realize the family dynamics are the umami flavor you can’t ignore. It stands tall against a pitch-black sky as we peer into each apartment to gaze at the tenants and their homes.