The Man in the Moon: The Guardians of Childhood
By Terreece Clarke,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Adventures of young Man in the Moon a perfect bedtime read.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
The Man in the Moon wasn't always a man; he was once a little boy, called MiM, and this book tells his story through the sailing of great ships and the fighting of great battles, including one between Pitch, the King of Nightmares, and Nightlight, the brave guardian of MiM. Readers find out what MiM does with balloons after they float into Earth's sky and the origins of some of the most beloved children's fantasy characters, including Santa Claus, Mother Goose, the Sandman, and the Easter Bunny.
Is It Any Good?
THE MAN IN THE MOON is breathtaking. It has an old-fashioned feel, yet at the same time seems very modern and fresh. Author-illustrator William Joyce weaves a fantastic tale that gives the origins of the bright, friendly face children see in the night sky. There is fun, fantasy, a dramatic battle, and personal loss. Most of all there is hope. Readers will love the new twist on familiar faces from children's literature and lore, and the book may even pique an interest in astronomy.
Joyce's wonderful storytelling is amplified by his dazzling illustrations, which are sophisticated yet whimsical. Each page stands alone as a work of art and clearly conveys the emotion of the story. When the Nightmare King rolls across the page in all of his gloom, it ups the excitement, intrigue, and apprehension.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about nightmares. They can be very scary. What do you do when you are afraid at night? Do you have a brave nightlight?
Children will also want to talk about the parental death featured in the book. How did MiM find a new family? Think about all the families you know -- what makes them different? What makes them the same?
There are a lot of storybook characters in this book. Can you name them all? Which ones are your favorites?
Book Details
- Author: William Joyce
- Illustrator: William Joyce
- Genre: Fairy Tale
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- Book type: Fiction
- Publication date: September 6, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 56
- Last updated: August 2, 2021
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate