Music for Mister Moon by Philip C. Stead - ESSENTIAL

Music for Mister Moon by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead. PICTURE BOOK. Holiday House, 2019. $19. 9780823441600

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A young girl only wants to play her instrument alone and not in front of others, so when an owl interrupts her she gets frustrated and throws her tea cup out the window. Her cup hits the moon and the moon gets stuck above her house. Harriet, who also goes by hank, helps the moon enjoy his time on earth and helps him return to the sky. 

I love the magical realism of this book. The book starts with Harriet turning her parents into penguins, setting the tone for a gently absurd story with real emotions, but magical events. This might be a little disorienting for young readers, but they will hopefully also be delighted by it.  

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher