Review - Mommy, Mommy, Where Is the Moon?

Mommy, Mommy, Where Is the Moon?
by Serene Chia
illustrated by Sinem Kılıç Rabito
Date: 2022
Publisher: Serene Chia
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 34
Format: e-book
Source: Amazon

A delightful bedtime story to be shared with your little ones before you tuck them in!

Kaitlyn and her mommy love to spend their nights looking for the Moon. Sometimes, they find it. Other times, the Moon plays peek-a-boo.

“Mommy, Mommy,” said Kaitlyn. “Where is the Moon?”
“It’s up there,” said Mom. “Are you looking hard enough?”
“There!” Kaitlyn pointed. “It’s hiding. Silly Moon.”

• Creates a fun bedtime ritual with your children
• Learn new fun facts about the Moon together

Come join Kaitlyn and her mommy on their search and pick up some fun and interesting Moon facts along the way!

(synopsis from Amazon; see it on Goodreads)

I'm not quite sure how to rate this one. The story is simple. The illustrations are adorable. Kids will probably like it. On the other hand, the use of too many (ugly) fonts, the inability to distinguish between dialogue tags and action beats, and a confusing remark about the moon might make adults think twice.

The book revolves around a little girl named Kaitlyn, who notices the moon (or lack thereof) in the sky and asks her mother a series of questions about it. She wants to know where it is when she can't see it. Sometimes it's hidden by clouds. Sometimes it's behind buildings. Other times, it's just in a different phase. (This is the part I felt was confusing. Kaitlyn's mother tells her she can't see the moon because "it moved in front of the Sun". I don't think that's quite the right way to phrase that; wouldn't that technically be an eclipse?)

The pictures are super cute and very colourful, with lots to look at. They're probably the strongest part of the book. Unfortunately, the integration of the text on the pages sometimes seems a bit amateurish, and it looks like an afterthought.

There are some activity pages at the back, but I don't think they're really necessary.

Overall, this is an okay picture book. I can see it having appeal at bedtime, especially given the subject matter.

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 3/5
Illustrations: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 3/5

Overall: 3.33 out of 5