The Moon Was at a Fiesta

This tale about the Moon first attracted me with its illustrations by Leovigildo Martinez (Torres). The flattened, angular faces seem to mirror the crescent moon of the story created by Matthew Gollub. The two artists fashioned a colorful Fiesta for the moon who feels diminished by the sumptuous celebrations held under the aegis of the Sun. There are cultural details to discover everywhere. The crafts of the region are showcased: stilt-legged Monigotes dance around, cut paper decorations are festooned, lanterns, food & drink are plentiful. Then the mermaid and even the Moon 'party' to excess. Remorse follows, and in Oaxaca, if people rise when the sun and moon share the sky, it is said that "The moon was at a Fiesta!" The tidbits of history are great fun on the page with a glossary. Reviewer mcHaiku only wishes that for elementary students a few patterns for cut paper garlands could be added. This is a truly colorful and inexpensive craft, as original as the collaboration by Gollub and Martinez. A wonderful book to share with children who will be caught up in the excitement of preparations in this orginal folk tale.