Perfect Picture Book Friday - How The Moon Regained Her Shape

I don't know about you, but I'm thinking I should just start Fridays off by going to the library.  Then I could fire up my computer, read all these wonderful posts, and be right in the library to snatch up every picture book that strikes my fancy :)  Except the library in these parts doesn't open until noon on Friday... and that's way too late to get started :)

Today's Perfect Picture Book serves two purposes: it's a great story - one with that folktale flavor I love - but it also carries an anti-bullying message and as such is a wonderful choice for this month which is National Bullying Prevention Month.

How The Moon Regained Her Shape
Written By: Janet Ruth Heller
Illustrated By: Ben Hodson
Sylvan Dell Publishing, 2006

Suitable For: ages 4-8
Themes/Topics: Native American folktale, phases of the moon, kindness, bullying, friendship
Opening: "Once the moon was round and full, proud of her gentle light.  She did not fear the darkness around her.  She danced across the sky, laughing as she twirled her skirts."
Brief Synopsis: The happy moon is deeply hurt by cruel words from the sun.  She takes them to heart and the resulting sadness causes her to shrink away.  Fortunately, her kind friend Comet is worried and sends her to Round Arms who helps her see her true worth, how loved she is, and that one should never listen to the mean words of a bully.  Her confidence restored, she once more graces the sky.

Links To Resources: The back of the book itself has a "Creative Minds" section which lists information and activities related to the phases of the moon and how to deal with bullies, a List Of Related Websites from Sylvan Dell, Teaching Activities from Sylvan Dell, Comprehension Quiz from Sylvan Dell, Math Quiz from Sylvan Dell.

Why I Like This Book: The book is written in the style of a Native American folktale.  It is both a story about how bullying can hurt someone and an explanation for the phases of the moon.  The two are woven beautifully together.  The art has a southwestern feel to it and suits the story perfectly.  This book has won a number of awards, including a 2006 Book Sense Pick, a 2007 Children's Choice, a Benjamin Franklin Award for art in 2007, and a Gold Medal in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards 2007, all with good reason!  It is a lovely, gentle story with a subtle, important message.

For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.

Before we all go off to read all the other wonderful entries today, I'd like to announce that the Perfect Picture Book Book Mark design is complete, and I'm ready to order them!!!  So exciting, isn't it?  Here's what they'll look like:

Sorry you have to twist your neck this way and that to see!
I'm not tech-savvy enough to turn these around :)

If you would like some to hand out to local librarians, teachers, parents, day care providers, preschools, friends and relations - anyone you think would enjoy the resource and benefit from it, please let me know.  You can mention it in the comments and/or use the handy Email Me button in the right sidebar to let me know how many you'd like and the address to which I should mail them.  You can also email me at susanna[at]susannhill[dot]com if you have trouble with that button!  Help us spread the word! :)

Now, if all you lovely PPBF bloggers would kindly leave your post-specific link in the list below, we will all come visit you and see what fabulous offerings you have for us this week!

Have a wonderful weekend, and don't forget to tune in Monday for an interview with Natasha Yim and a giveaway of her new book, Sacajawea Of The Shoshone!