Where does the Moon go after it wanes? A rhyming story reassures toddlers that "when it goes away, it will always return." It's a cute book and a rhyme that's enjoyable to read aloud, but I recommend it with two reservations. First: there's a "light up the Moon" gimmick with a button you press on the front to illuminate the Moon on the front cover. The light doesn't do anything inside the book, only on the cover. So I fear "reading" sessions where the baby insists on shutting the book to press the button on the cover. Second: the illustrator has used a photo of the Moon to represent the actual Moon...but it's this Apollo image, centered on Mare Crisium, that is, an aspect you never see from Earth. This is not an issue for babies' appreciation of the book but may annoy Moon-obsessed parents. ( )

DK Canada has some wonderful new books coming out this fall for both adults and children. Here's one that Little Guy and I enjoyed - Good Night, Baby Moon.

The cover is beautiful - gold lettering and stars on an indigo background. A cutout silhouette of rabbits is framed by the title. But here's the fun part - simply press the button in the upper right hand corner to 'light up' the moon in the frame. (Yes, it is battery operated. The battery cover is securely attached with a screw).

The inside pages are 'board book' thickness are of a rich, glossy stock. They too have a lovely nighttime background with rabbit silhouettes. Little guy had to count how many rabbits were on each page. The moon is full on one page, then half, then crescent, gone and back again on subsequent pages. This book is a good introduction for toddlers as to how the moon changes shape.

The text is in a rhyming format which I always enjoy reading. It seems to flow very easily and the cadence for each page becomes almost sing song. This is a 'gentle' read. The tones suggest night and sleep. It is fairly short at four double pages. Little Guy was fascinated by the light up button. We had to flip to the front cover many, many times to press the button yet again. I do wish there was some way that the inner pictures of the changing moon could have been highlighted by the light as well.

There's a Good Night Baby Moon 'toddler time' activity kit that you can download as well.

Good Night, Baby Moon is a beautifully illustrated book, with that little extra (the light) that had Little Guy asking to read it many, many nights in a row. And he learned something too! ( )