Little Moar and the Moon

A young boy, “little Moar,” loves playing with his friends outside, but as the days grow shorter, his anxiety increases. He fears the moon and the creepy smile he sees on its face as it peers down at him. When the sun starts to fall below the horizon, he tells his friends he must go. On his way, he stops to play a quick game of tag and to visit his uncle. Darkness sets in, but he wants to wait for the clouds to conceal the moon. When little Moar finally reaches his destination, his mom comforts him and tries to sway his false beliefs. This is a story with rich cultural roots. It takes place in the frigid Canadian Arctic. The clothing is reflective of the region, and the text includes a bit of the native language spoken there. The illustrations are unique and cartoon-like. They gloss the pages in an array of light and dark hues.

Children ages five to nine will relate to how afraid little Moar feels. Nearly all youth have faced fears of their own, however big or small they might be, and like him, they’re often stubborn in letting go of the myths that propel them.