MBC: City Moon

A full harvest moon is here!

It seems the ideal time to introduce City Moon, by Rachael Cole and Blanca Gomez.

This sweet story was an autumn favorite for many children in my community.

It even inspired some pajama and jacket-clad evening walks.

As you read this book, discuss the illustrations and ask questions to invite your child’s attention and foster critical thinking skills. Each page holds many details that you can bring to life with simple questions:

• “How do we know that this is a city?”

• “What do we see in the windows of this building?”

• “What types of transportation do we see on the street?”

• “Where do you think the moon is now?”

If you aren’t able to head outside to have a moon-watching adventure this weekend, you can still take the time to appreciate the harvest moon from your window and observe its changes in the coming weeks.

Observation of change in the natural world creates a basis for scientific inquiry in the young child.

City Moon is a joyful, relatable choice for two to six year-olds, and is especially good for younger children.

If you’re looking to continue your moon studies with a more scientific approach - appropriate for later four and five year olds - I would suggest The Moon Book, by Gail Gibbons.

Enjoy!