From the Publisher
This story radiates a quiet power. Poetic language paired with bold brushstrokes reveals the magic of the night sky. Nothing is more empowering to children than loving adults telling them to ‘dream big’ and ‘be proud of who you are.’ [A] stirring tale of self-acceptance and parental support.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
"Hitting notes of hope, fear, love, and pride while subtly tackling themes of class, gender expectations, and race, Eady’s debut is matched beat for layered beat by Zhang’s (Lala’s Words) fluid ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations, which depict Nigel as small but trusting against a looming, ponderous moon. A loving exhortation to 'Dream big... And be proud of who you are.'" — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“This book will make you tear up. It is a must-read for every person that has ever held dreams close to their hearts, whispered them to the sky, or lived to make them real.” — Joanna Ho, New York Times bestselling author of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners
"This book made my heart swell to the size of the moon. Nigel and the Moon is destined to become a classic that will inspire generations of readers to find the beauty in their day-to-day lives while also looking to the skies to dream big." — Minh Lê, author of Drawn Together and Lift
"A beautiful book. Eady’s sensitive text and Zhang’s gorgeous pictures combine in a story that conveys the richness of children’s daily lives and the cosmic splendor of their imaginations." — Mac Barnett, New York Times Bestselling author of The Extra Yarn
“Nigel is today’s Peter from The Snowy Day—this book will surely be an instant classic. I’m pleased to have met Nigel through his story, and I know that every kid with “dreams so bright” will be inspired to share their dreams with the world, too.” — Don Tate, author-illustrator of William Still and His Freedom Stories
“Listeners…will empathize with the challenges that can make a school week drag out, and youngsters will also realize that Zhang’s luminous moon is just a window away, willing to share confidences.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Glowing ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations present deep blue spreads with a shining moon, in which Nigel flies through the night sky, sitting on and talking to the moon.” — Booklist
Praise for the Nigel and the Moon audiobook: "This heartwarming story of authenticity shows children it is ok to share their truths aloud during the day or whisper them to the moon at night. Beautifully narrated." — Booklist
Don Tate
Nigel is today’s Peter from The Snowy Day—this book will surely be an instant classic. I’m pleased to have met Nigel through his story, and I know that every kid with “dreams so bright” will be inspired to share their dreams with the world, too.”
Mac Barnett
"A beautiful book. Eady’s sensitive text and Zhang’s gorgeous pictures combine in a story that conveys the richness of children’s daily lives and the cosmic splendor of their imaginations."
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Listeners…will empathize with the challenges that can make a school week drag out, and youngsters will also realize that Zhang’s luminous moon is just a window away, willing to share confidences.
Booklist
Glowing ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations present deep blue spreads with a shining moon, in which Nigel flies through the night sky, sitting on and talking to the moon.”
Joanna Ho
This book will make you tear up. It is a must-read for every person that has ever held dreams close to their hearts, whispered them to the sky, or lived to make them real.”
Minh Lê
"This book made my heart swell to the size of the moon. Nigel and the Moon is destined to become a classic that will inspire generations of readers to find the beauty in their day-to-day lives while also looking to the skies to dream big."
Booklist
Glowing ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations present deep blue spreads with a shining moon, in which Nigel flies through the night sky, sitting on and talking to the moon.”
Kirkus Reviews
2021-12-03
Nigel, a brown-skinned young boy, peers out of his bedroom window and shares his dreams with the moon.
His desire is to become an astronaut, a dancer, and a superhero. With the moon, “his dreams are safe.” During career week at school, his class goes to the library to read about various occupations, but Nigel does not find any books with dancers who look like him. When his classmates share their vocational aspirations, Nigel feels shy to admit that he wants to be a superhero. That night, he confesses his fear to the moon: “What if I wish to be too many things?” When his teacher asks the class to share what their parents do for a living, Nigel is ashamed to speak up since his parents “don’t have fancy jobs.” So, he is stunned when his parents make a surprise visit to his class to speak about their careers and prove to be a big hit with the students. Relieved and proud, Nigel finally gains the courage to share his dreams with his classmates. Zhang’s ink, gouache, and watercolor illustrations are charming and thoughtful, effectively capturing both Nigel’s anxieties and his fanciful inner world. However, readers may notice tokenism at play since Nigel and his parents are the only brown-skinned characters in the book.
A poignant story designed to help young readers feel good about themselves and where they come from. (Picture book. 4-7)
