The full moon this month is a superb opportunity to go outside and explore the nighttime sky. Here are few books and activities to learn more about the moon.
A Full Moon is Rising by Marilyn Singer and Julia Cairns has poems about the moon and moon celebrations around the world and throughout the seasons. Children naturally love the sound and rhythm of the language in poetry. Look out the window at the night sky as you read these and imagine what life on the moon would be like.
Leaf people celebrate fall with a party in By the Light of the Harvest Moon by Harriet Ziefert and Mark Jones. They dance and eat until the wind blows them away. Bring in a variety to fall leaves to compare how they are similar and different. Once you are done with your comparison, have your child create leaf compositions that could be either people or abstract.
Hello, Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher follows the moon as it rises and describes all the things it shines on. This book celebrates the fall moon using beautiful descriptive language. After reading this book, encourage your child to describe the moon and what it shines on each night. Start the conversation by asking what would it feel like if you touched it, or smelled it, or tasted it?
In I'll Catch the Moon by Nina Crews, a little girl looks up at that moon outside her room and imagines building a ladder to visit it. Ask your children to imagine how they could get to the moon and what they would find there?
Kitten sees his first full moon and goes out to explore it in
Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes. A very sweet book that celebrates the magical way children experience things for the first time.
Long Night Moon by Cynthia Rylant and Mark Siegel is a tribute to some Native American tribes
naming each month's full moon by want was happening in the season. What would you call this month's full moon?
Have you ever seen the man in the moon? Read Moon Man by Tomi Ungerer then find him in the moon with your child. Imagine more adventures for the moon man and make your own books about those adventures.
Learn more about the science around the moon with the two following books. All present information in a manner that is appropriate for even very young children. To make the information more hands-on, shine a flashlight on the wall and to imitate the full moon. Put paper in front to simulate how the Earth moves in front of the moon to create the moon's phases.
The Moon Seems to Change (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) by Franklyn M. Branley and Barbara & Ed Emberley
Please add your favorite book or activity the moon in the comments!
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