Half a Moon and One Whole Star facts for kids
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| Author | Crescent Dragonwagon |
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| Illustrator | Jerry Pinkney |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature, Poetry, picture book |
| Published | 1986 (Macmillan) |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 32 (unpaginated) |
| ISBN | 9780027331202 |
| OCLC | 12216017 |
Half a Moon and One Whole Star is a beautiful picture book from 1986. It was written by Crescent Dragonwagon and brought to life with amazing illustrations by Jerry Pinkney. The story is about a girl named Susan. She falls asleep in her cozy bed, but outside, the world is still wide awake and full of activity.
This book helps young readers imagine what happens in the world while they are sleeping. It explores the quiet magic of nighttime.
Contents
About the Story
The book follows Susan as she drifts off to sleep. As she sleeps, the story takes us outside her window. We see and hear all the things happening in the night. The moon shines, stars twinkle, and animals move around. We hear crickets chirping and owls hooting.
The story uses gentle, poetic language. It describes the sounds and sights of the night. It shows how the world keeps going, even when we are resting. It's a peaceful and calming book. It makes you think about the hidden life of the night.
The Author: Crescent Dragonwagon
Crescent Dragonwagon is an American author. She has written many books for children and adults. She was born in 1952. Her real name is Ellen Zolotow. She chose "Crescent Dragonwagon" as her pen name.
Dragonwagon is known for her lyrical writing style. She often writes about nature and everyday life. Her books help readers connect with the world around them. Half a Moon and One Whole Star is a great example of her talent. She makes simple moments feel special.
The Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Jerry Pinkney was a very famous American illustrator. He was born in 1939 and passed away in 2010. He was known for his detailed and realistic artwork. Pinkney illustrated over 100 books during his career. Many of his books won major awards.
Pinkney's illustrations in Half a Moon and One Whole Star are truly special. He uses soft colors and intricate details. This helps to capture the quiet beauty of the night. His art makes the animals and nature scenes feel alive. He helps readers imagine the world outside Susan's window. His work often focused on African American culture and history.
Awards and Recognition
Half a Moon and One Whole Star received an important award. It won the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration in 1987. This award is given each year. It recognizes outstanding books for children and young adults. These books are by African American authors and illustrators. They celebrate African American culture and universal human values.
Winning this award shows how important Jerry Pinkney's artwork was to the book. It highlights the book's quality and its positive message.
Themes in the Book
This book explores several interesting themes:
- The Magic of Night: It shows that nighttime is not just for sleeping. It's a time when many things happen in nature.
- Connection to Nature: The story helps readers feel connected to the natural world. It highlights the sounds and sights of animals and plants.
- Imagination: It encourages children to imagine what happens outside their homes. It makes them think about the world beyond their own experiences.
- Peace and Calm: The gentle rhythm of the text and illustrations creates a very peaceful feeling. It's a perfect book for bedtime.
