Faces of the Moon

by Bob Crelin, Leslie Evans (Illustrator)

Overview

Do you wonder, when you see the Moon,
at dusk, or dawn, or midday noon,
just why her face is curved, or round,
or why she sometimes can’t be found?

Why does the Moon seem to change shape from night to night? What's really going on up there in the sky? Innovative die-cuts and playful poetry introduce the names and shapes of the lunar phases to explain the role light and shadow play in this transformation. This eloquent introduction will fascinate young astronomers everywhere. Pair with the Moon Gazer's Wheel for a unique and educational gift.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781570917851
Publisher:	Charlesbridge
Publication date:	07/01/2009
Edition description:	New
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	650L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Bob Crelin is the author of THERE ONCE WAS A SKY FULL OF STARS. Bob was awarded the Astronomical League's Walter Scott Hudson Award for his tireless work to preserve the night sky for future generations. He lives in Guilford, Connecticut.

Editorial Reviews

Listeners may appreciate the rhythm, but most insight will come from the visual clues. Strategically placed die-cuts show the moon as it waxes or wanes with each page turn. Tabs are also cut into the border and marked with images of the changing moon, forming a timeline at the book's edge. Evan's blockprint illustrations, carved with precision, echo the slices of moon that are shaved away. In contrast to the rhyming text, a simple end note clearly explains this lunar dance of shadow and light. Fun "Moon Memo-Rhymes" are also included to help remember moon facts.

—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Crelin opens with a question that young readers often wonder-why does the moon change shape? Unfortunately, his answer is difficult to grasp. Singsong phrases and forced rhymes stilt the science and muddle the conclusions. "Each changing face (or lunar phase) / repeats each nine-and-twenty days." Listeners may appreciate the rhythm, but most insight will come from the visual clues. Strategically placed die-cuts show the moon as it waxes or wanes with each page turn. Tabs are also cut into the border and marked with images of the changing moon, forming a timeline at the book's edge. Evans's block-print illustrations, carved with precision, echo the slices of moon that are shaved away. In contrast to the rhyming text, a simple end note clearly explains this lunar dance of shadow and light. Fun "Moon Memo-Rhymes" are also included to help remember moon facts. There is no doubt that the author knows his crescent from his gibbous phase; but alas, the verse style should have been limited to the memo-rhymes. Recommended for visual learners at best. (Informational picture book. 6-9)

Kirkus Reviews