By the Light of the Captured Moon

By the Light of the Captured Moon by Julian Scheer is a whimsical delight, with endearing illustrations by Ronald Himler. Yes, the language is somewhat sophisticated. But don't we want children to hear and enjoy more complex sentences other than See Spot Run? I am an elementary school librarian and I read aloud daily to children ages 5-9. I plan to share this book the last week of school as students are getting ready for summer vacation. It will also be a good read aloud for the first week back to school in September. Naturally, the story is perfect for a summer's night. I received my copy during another winter storm in New England and my children and I enjoyed the taste of summer. Hmmm, I guess it is a book for all seasons.The most touching part of the book comes almost at the end:"This summer would soon be over, but there would be next summer and the summer after, and the moon would return again and again."Of course a child sees his world as full of summers yet to come. As an adult I know that the childhood summers are fleeting. This story reminds me that as a mom I get another chance to hold the magic of a summer's moon. It's a beautiful book that belongs in everyone's collection. Caldecott Committee, have you read your copy yet?