Sun and Moon have always held their own places in the sky, but after a lifetime of darkness all Moon wants is to spend just one day as Sun. But will Moon still wish to trade Sun places in the sky after carefully studying his night? Or will he realize the beauty of what he already has? K-Gr 2— Moon wants to spend one day—just one day—being the sun. Moon sees his world as boring and lonely, for it is dark and everyone is asleep during his nightly watch. In comparison, Sun's life seems so much better, with beautiful flowers blooming, children playing, even tigers sunbathing. So, Moon asks Sun to trade places. Sun agrees, but only on two conditions. First, the trade is a permanent one and second, Moon "must spend an entire night in the sky looking very closely at the earth —closer than [he] ever has" before deciding. Moon is thrilled and agrees immediately. Carefully watching through the night, he notices things he never saw before. Down on earth below, there is a lively nighttime carnival, foxes waking to the hunt, children in their beds dreaming, blossoms on the baobab tree, fireworks, and so much more. It is all so fascinating that Moon decides he wants to do nothing more than to spend his time "enjoying the exciting and wonderful things that [come] to life in his moonlight." The artwork, which combines collage, cut-outs, porcelain block, and inks, is expertly used to create a beautiful and stunning modern-day folktale. The detailed, stylized artwork is perfectly in tune with the text. VERDICT A terrific book pulled together with wonderful artwork. A treat for the eyes and ears.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA " Sun and Moon by Lindsey Yankey is one of those books that young children will want to hear and look at again and again and that parents will enjoy reading and sharing with them. For children who are a little apprehensive about the dark, Yankey provides some good reasons, in both words and pictures, to appreciate the dark night and its beauty. Yankey also provides a subtle message about the importance of really looking at and appreciating what you have rather than coveting what someone else has. Share Sun and Moon with your children as both a bedtime and an anytime story." About.com , Elizabeth Kennedy, Children's Books Expert 5 stars review! "Being happy with who you are and what you have instead of yearning for what lies beyond reach is a good message for children to learn, and this book teaches this brilliantly through the story of Moon who, after a lifetime in darkness, wished to spend one day as the Sun." Sun Herald "In a fablelike story about greener grasses and discovering wonder in one's own circumstances, the moon wishes to take the place of the sun for a day: 'Moon imagined Sun saw beautiful sights like flowers blooming, children playing, and tigers sunbathing.' While Sun agrees to switch places, there are two conditions--that Moon agrees to take on Sun's role forever and that he must first closely observe what unfolds on the Earth during the night. Yankey's ( Bluebird ) poetic descriptions provide ample opportunity for her inky, enigmatic artwork to flourish. After dark, Moon observes gold-inlaid elephants forming a towering canopy for a nighttime carnival, lean foxes awakening in a den of wildflowers, and exploding fireworks that resemble stained glass. He also witnesses the whimsical dreams of children, boys and girls borne aloft in sailboats, a goose, and hot-air balloons. Ornamental detailing, collage elements, and delicately penciled figures that call to mind 19th-century children's book illustrations (a gangly lamplighter could be kin to the Mad Hatter) combine to create a lyrical reverie. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)" Publisher's Weekly "It's an endearing and gratifying story of acceptance and patience, but it's Yankey's simply stunning illustrations that make this such a joy to pore over. In warm, saturated hues and tapestry-like textures, she paints gorgeous, captivating spreads of bold red poppies towering in the foreground of a field of wildflowers; lanky tigers stretched out in pools of sunshine; and a bunk bed of sleeping children, rendered in delicate, whisper-thin lines and muted tones, dreaming of boisterous colors and madcap adventures. Each wide-format, two-page spread is a beautiful composition on its own, but together with the gentle lines of the story, they invite close, slow examination, just as the pale-green moon must look carefully to notice the splendid magic of the night. Truly enchanting." - Booklist STARRED REVIEW!, Sarah Hunter "Lindsey Yankey's ( Bluebird ) stunning illustrations call to mind batik patterns and colors in this folktale-like story of Moon, who wishes to spend 'just one day' as the sun. A nighttime palette of violets and olive greens sets the scene. As Moon imagines the Sun's sights, the pages explode with poppies and black-eyed Susans that match the golden globe in the sky. A carnival-like atmosphere pervades as a para