Once in a Blue Moon

November 1, 2017

K-Gr 2-Daniel, from the Metis nation, brings to the fore special "once in a blue moon" occurrences in this nature-focused volume. Double rainbows, four-leaf clovers, and the Northern Lights are among the truly rare sights portrayed. Others are more common, depending on where you live-like noticing "spotted ladybugs resting on the leaves," or observing "a hundred fireflies blinking their bright lights." The possibility of a whale rising above the surface of the water next to one's boat will delight listeners and they'll long for the chance to see such a thing themselves. The title phrase repeats in a lulling fashion, making this an appropriate bedtime choice. Implicit in the text is the gentle reminder that to witness such things, children must take the time to look. Daniel's stylized illustrations, rendered in acrylic gouache and pencil, lack the Shannon-esque feel of her first title, Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox. Occasionally, the horizons feel too solid and severe, especially when she places one of the children and several trees directly on that line. But there are still some stunning images, including one of a butterfly alighting on a girl's nose. VERDICT This look at nature at its most spellbinding moments will soothe and delight pre- and early readers alike.-Kristy Kilfoyle, Canterbury School, Fort Myers, FL

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2017
Four-line poems lend a magical quality to a series of simple experiences witnessed once in a blue moon. Daniel's childlike illustrations, done in pencil and colored with flat fields of acrylic gouache in rich colors, accompany each poem, serving to frame moments in nature as special events. The format allows readers to go slowly and serves as an excellent way for children to become aware of nonrhyming poetic forms. It also conveys the sense of wonder that comes when taking a quiet moment to appreciate that which is not immediately "entertaining" in the modern sense. The repetition of the titular phrase, "Once in a blue moon," and brevity of each poem make for a soothing bedtime read-aloud, but the book will also work well as a calm break in a busy day, and it is ripe with inspirations for further activities such as painting a similar scene and writing nonrhyming verses to reflect serene moments. Each "I" in the book can apply to children from many walks of life, as those depicted have different skin colors and hair textures and are in different environments in nature. Many may be close to readers' own accessible experiences, while those that are different can inspire imagination about how other kids see the world. Daniel has enabled a full deep breath on every page of this gentle, relaxing book, which engages without overloading and lends a specialness to things too easy to miss in the natural world. (Picture book. 4-7)

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