So tell me, has the moon ever followed you home? You felt it glowing through the back window of your car. Then you turned and saw it hanging low in the sky, suspended by things unseen. And no matter how fast you drove, you couldn’t shake it. It threw your shadow across your path as you walked into your house. You almost expected it to knock on the door. This is Adam Rex’s world, and now it’s yours.
“We whispered words like big and beautiful. Through the back seat window I followed its flight, past the dark, sleeping park and the bright empty streets. Then I drifted to sleep and was lifted to bed.”
In the morning, it turns out that the moon has taken up residence in the back yard.
When the child decides to “have a look around” on the moon, Mom tells her “Okay. Zip up your coat.”
Things get even crazier. Kids at school sleep at their desks. A teacher tries to teach a lesson, but when “1+1=Moon” the teacher decides she’s too sleepy to teach and dismisses class.
As the child walks home from school, people drive and walk in their sleep. A punk rock band croons a lullaby. And then the park, the glorious glow-in-the-dark park:
Where yawns pass from person to person.
Back at home, Dad tries to hide the moon under blankets and tablecloths. The tide trickles into the back yard, and then the baying dogs arrive. Clearly, this moon has got to go. But where? And how?
Love the radiant illustrations. Love the magical realism. Love how the absurd can be addressed with such deadpan humor. I can’t believe I missed this book when it first came out in 2013.
It’s the perfect bedtime story, yawns and all. Find a copy and share the magic with someone who needs a nap. But don’t be surprised if they want to read it over and over again.
Even the copyright page shows attention to lunar detail.
Title: Moonday
Author/Illustrator: Adam Rex
Publisher: Disney/Hyperion – 2013
Ages: 3-8
And don’t forget to head over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday to find more fantabulous recommendations!
Jilanne Hoffmann 
I had a similar adventure in 1982 – forgive me for adding a link: https://mlewisredford.wordpress.com/collected-works/portsmouth-southsea/ but it was like finding an old friend being introduced to this book
Fabulous how images spark synapses that illuminate memories. Thank you for the link! I left a mark or two there.
gottem; thank you
I love looking at the moon. Did you get a chance to check out the blue blood moon? We didn’t get a very good glimpse of it, unfortunately.
Nice illustrations in that book!
I watched the moon for the last three nights of its waxing. Gorgeous! But I didn’t get up early for the blue blood moon. When I went to bed, it was foggy, so I decided I didn’t want to lose two hours of sleep, only to find it obscured by the fog. The illustrations are magically luminescent. I can see kids really getting into them and the absurd reality of the story.
Wow! I can’t wait to see this one!
I think I missed it the first time around when my son was smaller. Rex is a very imaginative author-illustrator.
This is the perfect picture book for the lunar event we recently enjoyed. Yes, I pulled on my coat at 4:00 in the morning, but clouds–lots of thick, gray, clouds–covered the beautiful moon. I like the idea that the moon can settle low over the child’s yard. The lighting in the illustration is lovely. Thank you for sharing this book.
It did feel like it was lurking right outside our door. The door to our deck off the kitchen is a clear window. Each night this past week, we could see the moon rise through that door, while we were sitting at the kitchen table. it was surreal. I’m glad you got up to see what you could see, but I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. We had fog in parts of SF. I’ll be extending the lunar celebration next week, too, with another book about that little, luminous orb. Stay tuned….
Such a fun book and great title!
Yes, it is. I’m thinking that Rex enjoys a good pun. Also, did you notice the opening lines of text, the use of “dark” and “park” and “lifted” and “drifted”? Definitely attention to language.
It’s been a few years since I read it – I should do so while the big moon lasts!
I missed this in 2013, too! The illustrations are fantastic, and I love the magic realism and lyrical language.
Yes, I agree. This was long before the Adam Rex of “Rhymes with Orange.” But seems fitting with his sense of humor. Several lines in this text, served with parental deadpan delivery, are quite funny.
Perfect for the moon watching of the past few days!
Yes! Stay tuned for another moon book next week!
Wow, a beautiful and pensive story about the moon. Can’t believe I yawned when I saw the picture of the people in the park greeting the moon with a wake-up yawn. Perfect for the recent moon events.
It’s funny that you should say that about the yawn page. So true. When I and my son lingered on that page, we both yawned. Too funny! There’s something magical about the blood blue moon, something that Rex captures in his illustrations here.
I need a nap, so I guess I better find a copy for myself! Sounds wonderful.
Don’t we all?! Good thing it’s the weekend. I’m in dire need of some down time. Sleep well!
I missed this one too. But with the genius of Adam Rex, it is no surprise that it is an amazing book. Can’t wait to check it out. Thanks!
I’m thinking you’re going to love it!
Oh my goodness, that book sounds amazing!!! I wish I’d run across it when I was still teaching. I love those kind of stories.
It is! And it’s never too late to share it with someone small. And help them discover the wonder, too!
I love bedtime stories and magic realism. The illustrations look beautiful. Thanks for this suggestion.
It is like being in a dream. Hope you enjoy it!