Review: The Moon Shines Down by Margaret Wise Brown

Notes on the book paraphrased from the inside cover:

An incomparable children’s book almost lost to the world. As an unpublished,incomplete manuscript based on a New England sampler prayer, “God bless the moon and God bless me“, the author’s work was found in an old barn in Vermont years after her death. Being too short for a standard size picture book, Laura Minchew, a children’s book publisher, was able to match the author’s style and complete this wondrous story.


Filled with beautiful illustrations by Linda Bleck on glossy pages, this story will enchant children and the people who read it to them many times over. Written in rhyming verse for youngsters around the world, the story tells of near and far away lands and children of different cultures. An adorable little koala bear visits each location. Charming native animals indicative of their respective countries grace every page. From the Zuider Zee to the furthest Orient telling a happy tale of children speaking Japanese, Korean, Chinese and other Asian languages to Mexico complete with pictures of iguanas and cacti and beyond. The animals are large and colorful. The moon is big, bright and very yellow. The moon shines down even over the sea, complete with delightful pictures of fish and turtles. Many more countries are visited replete with pictures of children, whether playing or peacefully sleeping, they are content knowing the moon shines down on all the world. A perfect ending to the book is the little prayer, “I see the moon and the moon sees me. God bless the moon and God bless me.

Even as an adult, I found this a delightful story sure to bring smiles to anyone. The use of primary colors will greatly appeal to children. I particularly liked the rhyming verse and the lovely message, no matter where in the world you are, God’s moon shines down upon us.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for a copy of this book.