The Moon Was at a Fiesta

by Matthew Gollub, Leovigildo Martinez (Illustrator)

Overview

The sun lights the day and the moon lights the night, and morning seldom breaks to find them both up in the sky. But when the moon does stay up past dawn, the people of Oaxaca, Mexico, have an explanation: “The moon was at a fiesta.” Once again, Matthew Gollub and Leovigildo Martínez have created a sumptuous original tale set amid the rich folk culture of Mr. Martínez’s own Oaxaca—a tale as exhilarating as a moonlit fiesta full of music, tamales, and paper lanterns.

California Department of Education Suggested Reading Title
Artwork honored by the Society of Illustrators in New York
Paintings and text displayed in Art Institute of Chicago and over 40 museums nationwide

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781889910130
Publisher:	Tortuga Press
Publication date:	01/01/1997
Edition description:	Mexican folktale
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	457,045
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.10(d)
Lexile:	AD770L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

Matthew Gollub is a nationally known children’s author, speaker and performer. He has created 18 picture books which together have garnered 25 national awards and distinctions. His musical narrations on audio CDs accompany some of his most popular books including The Jazz Fly and Jazz Fly 2: The Jungle Pachanga. A dynamic drummer and bilingual presenter, he has also performed at over 1,000 elementary schools nationwide, inspiring students and families to read for fun. He lives with his family in Santa Rosa, CA.

Editorial Reviews

Cultural charm resonates throughout this appealing original folktale. Here Gollub and Martinez, who previously collaborated on another Mexican-inspired tale, The Twenty-five Mixtec Cats , offer the Oaxaca explanation for why the moon is sometimes visible during the day. ``For hundreds of years, the sun and the moon stayed in their separate skies. It was the sun's job to shine all day long while people went about their work. It was the moon's job to watch over people's dreams.'' When she overhears the stars talking wistfully about the games and feasts enjoyed during the sun's hours, the moon decides to throw a party of her own. Excited by the prospect, the townspeople, local animals and even the neighborhood mermaid offer to provide food and costumes. Martinez's angular, folkloric artwork features a sandy, desert palette accentuated by brightly garmented characters. Ethnic masks, dolls and lanterns, which are described in a glossary at the end of the book, further enliven the festivities. The moon's remorse when the tired, nocturnal revelers are unable to perform their daytime duties casts an ungainly moral over an otherwise sprightly and lighthearted tale. Ages 5-up. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 1-4-This original porquoi story set in Mexico explains why the moon is sometimes visible in the morning sky. The sun and moon are happy with their celestial arrangement until the latter hears about the parties and feasts that take place during the day. She becomes jealous, and decides to have a fiesta at night. The people agree and stay out until daybreak, so when the sun rises, none of the work in the fields gets done. Although the moon is remorseful and resolves to stay in the evening sky, she occasionally likes to celebrate, and ``That's why in Oaxaca, when people rise with the sun and see the moon, they say, `The moon was at a fiesta.'" The story is perfect for reading aloud. The Spanish words, seamlessly interspersed throughout, add flavor. The watercolor, gouache, and acrylic illustrations perfectly complement the text-cool greens and blues reflect the light of the moon by night, and earth tones reflect the sun's glare by day. The same luminous colors used in the landscapes are repeated in the people's faces and clothes, suggesting their close relationship with nature. Full of wonderful details, the pictures give a glimpse of Oaxacan culture-the paper cut-out decorations, fireworks and wooden masks, and the anthropomorphized moon-and beautifully convey the people's respect for nature and their love of celebrations.-Lauren Mayer, New York Public Library

School Library Journal

"The story is perfect for reading aloud.” —School Library Journal



“A splendid marriage of words to pictures.” —Children’s Book Reviews



“Cultural charm resonates throughout." —Publisher’s Weekly



“The vigorous mixed-media paintings are a delight.” —Booklist

From the Publisher