★ 09/23/2013
"Bear blames the moonlight for his sleepless nights, so he steals it, leaving the other animals with a sense of loss. The story builds as one by one the animals ask each other for information and ultimately seek out Owl. Their search for answers, and then the moon itself, is the perfect device for turning the page. The soft watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, many within their own frame, mirror the text’s gentleness. When the animals talk with one another, they move more freely on pages with a white background. The repetition of simple phrases encourages a young reader’s participation. Storytelling and dancing conclude the story, an inclusive and positive ending. Pair with Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes (2004) for another moon celebration."
"With soft, comforting illustrations and repetitive, evocative text, this book reads like a modern version of Good Night Moon with words which could be repeated by a child, anthropomorphic animals, a clever mystery to solve, and a comforting ending. The story could be turned into a play, acted out by younger children. The image of the stolen moon glowing inside Bear's pillow is priceless. The animals practically dance off the page when the moon is set free. This is a story which will have primary students begging for repeat readings."
"This simple, folkloric story will easily engage young audiences, and Kherdian’s restrained prose works well as both a group readaloud and as a read-alone for novice readers. . . it might especially work well as a beginning readers’ theater piece."
December 2013 The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
* "The Moon looms large in children’s literature: Frank Asch, Eric Carle, Kevin Henkes, and countless others have paid homage to that fascinating round face in the night sky. In Come Back, Moon , Kherdian and Hogrogian have collaborated on an original story that has the simplicity and resonance of a folktale.... Hogrogian captures the character of each animal, mood, and scene with disarming expertise.... Kherdian is at his poetic best, gracing the tale with few, carefully chosen words. The artwork is beautifully balanced and radiates personality. The combination of great talent, elegant restraint, and exceptional creative decisions has produced a timeless book that will still be enjoyed by the great grandchildren of those who read it today."
2013-09-15The Road from Home: The Story of an Armenian Girl , 1979) teams again with his wife, distinguished two-time Caldecott-winning illustrator and author Hogrogian, for this gentle animal fable (Lullaby for Emily , 1995, etc.). "Bear couldn't sleep and blamed the light of the moon." He steals it and stuffs it into his pillowcase. Other animals--Fox, Skunk, Opossum and Raccoon--miss the moon and speculate as to its whereabouts. Crow says to Fox, "You're the clever one. Where did it go?" Fox suggests asking wise Owl. Hogrogian's soft, muted watercolors, further grayed by pencil, depict the parade of woodland creatures en route to Owl's perch, trailing behind Fox's white-tipped tail. When Owl fingers Bear, Fox and Crow hatch a plan. Crow tells Bear a slumber-inducing story, then he and Fox snatch the pillowcase and release the moon. The happy ending reveals the animals dancing by moonlight while Bear sleeps contentedly on. Within plainspoken text and dialogue, Kherdian weaves a folkloric motif--the moon's theft and restoration--with child-resonant tropes: mistaken judgment, compelling curiosity and cooperation to right wrongs. Hogrogian subtly characterizes the animals' emotions and responses without anthropomorphizing them unduly. The keen tilt of Fox's head indicates acute observation, while Bear's heavy-lidded eyes and relaxed pose telegraph imminent napping. (Incidentally, only Bear's gender is conveyed, permitting diverse interpretations for the other creatures.) Charming. (Picture book. 3-7)
