ROBIN AND THE MOON

Oh no! The moon is stuck!

While on a nighttime walk with Mama, the inquisitively precocious toddler from Goodale’s Robin and the Stick (2026) pretends to hold the moon and then gently toss it back up into the air. Preparing for bedtime later, Robin is alarmed to see the moon caught in the branches of the tree outside the window. Mama reassures Robin, who nevertheless tries to blow the moon away by breathing on it. Robin eventually falls asleep and dreams of freeing the moon, thus ensuring a good night’s sleep—depicted in a series of stunning spreads, set in etched black-and-white monoprint and oil, that brilliantly use perspective and light. Goodale presents Robin’s feelings as thoughts, not spoken words; this is a gorgeous look at the rich interiority of a small child navigating complex emotions with limitless energy and empathy. Young readers will relate to Robin’s independence and persistence, as well as Goodale’s keen development of her protagonist’s sometimes esoteric personality (Robin’s affinity for sticks, both collected ones and those still intact on trees, is clear throughout). As in the first entry, Mama models great care, gently guiding Robin through big feelings while also giving the youngster the space and ability to figure things out independently. Robin and Mama have skin the color of the page; the child’s blue hoodie and, later, sleeper pop against the muted backdrops.

Another stellar entry in a series that celebrates independence and the importance of small victories.