According to space.com, this year, the full moons of October, November and December all take place when the moon is at its closest point of approach in its orbit around Earth — a so-called Supermoon. A Supermoon happens when a Full Moon or New Moon coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth; also called perigee.
In the Philadelphia area, moonrise is 5:20pm. Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer at the Franklin Institute, suggests looking toward the southwestern sky to catch a view of both the planet Venus, which will appear as a very bright star, and the planet Mars which will have a rosey glow.
While you’re waiting for the moon to rise, share these picture books with the young readers in your life.
Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes.
From ALA Booklist:
The nationally bestselling picture book about a kitten, the moon, and a bowl of milk, written by the celebrated author and illustrator Kevin Henkes, was awarded a Caldecott Medal.
From one of the most celebrated and beloved picture book creators working in the field today comes a memorable new character and a suspenseful adventure just right for reading and sharing at home and in the classroom. It is Kitten’s first full moon, and when she sees it she thinks it is a bowl of milk in the sky. And she wants it. Does she get it? Well, no . . . and yes. What a night!
A brief text, large type, and luminescent pictures play second fiddle to the star of this classic picture book—brave, sweet and lucky Kitten! “Henkes’s text, reminiscent of Margaret Wise Brown’s work in the elemental words, rhythms, and appealing sounds, tells a warm, humorous story that’s beautifully extended in his shimmering, gray-toned artwork.”—ALA Booklist
Activity: While reading this book, share moon phases using Oreo Cookies as seen on the Nasa Space Place website.
From Amazon:
Moonday by Adam Rex
From Amazon:
What do you do when the moon lowers itself into your backyard?
When mornings are replaced by perpetual night,
and people sigh-sleep in their eyes.
What do you do when the tide comes in,
and all the neighborhood dogs won’t stop howling?You take the moon for a ride.
Adam Rex creates a fantastic tale that is both imaginative and beautiful; one that blurs the line between dreams and reality.
Activity: Create a moon phase flipbook as seen on Deceptively Educational.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
From Amazon
In a great green room, tucked away in bed, is a little bunny. “Goodnight room, goodnight moon.” And to all the familiar things in the softly lit room—to the picture of the three little bears sitting on chairs, to the clocks and his socks, to the mittens and the kittens, to everything one by one—the little bunny says goodnight.
In this classic of children’s literature, beloved by generations of readers and listeners, the quiet poetry of the words and the gentle, lulling illustrations combine to make a perfect book for the end of the day.
Activity: Create this Goodnight Moon window craft scene as seen on Mrs. Russell’s Class.
Gravity by Jason Chin
This is a bit of a stretch but this book is too cool and I just wanted to share!
From Amazon:
What keeps objects from floating out of your hand?
What if your feet drifted away from the ground?
What stops everything from floating into space?
Gravity.As in his previous books, Redwoods, Coral Reefs, and Island, Jason Chin has taken a complex subject and made it brilliantly accessible to young readers in this unusual, innovative, and very beautiful book.
Chin’s approach makes this book a must-have common core tool for teachers and librarians introducing scientific principals to young students.
Activity: What is gravity experiment from the blog Rookie Parenting.
Imani’s Moon by Janay Brown-Wood
From Amazon:
Imani is a young Maasi girl with a loving mother and a desire to do something great. When she decides she wants to touch the moon, she works hard to reach her goal, even in the face of teasing from the naysayers around her.
Activity: Create your own moon to share as seen on the blog Preschool Universe.
Have a blast checking out this moon and enjoy the view.
r’s note: affiliate links are used in this post. If you make a purchase, I receive a small commission. All book recommendations are my own and have been shared with my family and library littles and I can recommend them with confidence!
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What a great book listing. I still have son’s first copy of Goodnight Moon in his memory box. such a wonderful book.
So many memories! I think my daughter gifted her copy to her brother!
Good Night Moon is an abosolute favorite! But, I must say that I just read Kitten’s First Full Moon to my class and we love it. Poor Kitten!
I know! That kitty just wanted a little sip of milk!
Good Night Moon is a favorite at our house! Will have to try these other books too I love having tons of books to read every night.
I just grabbed a stack of picture books from the library today. They’re like popcorn; can’t read just one!
Goodnight moon is still my kids favorite book. Even at 3 and 6 we read it constantly. Love it so much
I used to read it so much I had it memorized! Good times!
What a great list!!! I still have son’s copy of Goodnight Moon in my baby box in the attic!