Moonman (2014) Ned Barraud text & illustrations, Craig Potton Publishing, Nelson, 38 pages, paperback, NZ $20
Ned
Barraud, best known for his naturalistic wildlife illustrations, has produced an
elegantly stylised fable about the man in the moon. Moonman leads a simple life
on the moon. “Under twinkling stars he
takes his broom and sweeps the moon until it’s clean and gleaming.” Each night he sees the blue glow of a
mysterious planet. Curious, he hitches a ride on a falling star and crashes
into a new and alarming world - Earth.
Young
readers will enjoy seeing Moonman’s response to the Earth objects that they are
familiar with. (Mushrooms alarm him; grass tickles his toes.) Then Moonman faces the tricky problem of
returning to his home. Fortunately one of his new Earth friends is able to help
and the story ends well, with Moonman planning a new adventure.
Using
phrases like “caretaker extraordinaire,”
Barraud’s prose is a little complicated for the young readers who will most
appreciate his book but they will certainly enjoy having it read to them. The
illustrations are a delight.
Full
publishing details:
Moonman (2014 Ned
Barraud text & ill, Craig Potton Publishing, Nelson, 38ppPaperback: ISBN 978 1 927213 27 8
Hardback: ISBN 978 1 927213 28 5
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