Influenced by Native American folktales, this fascinating story deals with bullying, self-confidence, and understanding the phases of the moon. After the sun insults and bullies her, the moon gets very upset and disappears - much to the chagrin of rabbits who miss their moonlight romps. With the help of her friends, the moon gains more self-confidence each day until she is back to her full size. The "Creative Minds" section explains the phases of the moon and helps to answer those pesky questions like "why is the moon up during the day?", or "why does the shape of the moon change? Moon crafts and games supplement the understanding.
Written By: Janet Ruth Heller Illustrated By: Ben Hodson
"“How the Moon Regained Her Shape has much to offer the young reader, and indeed, any adult reading the book with the child. While it does have a strong message, which becomes quite obvious rather soon in the book, there are many little lesson packed into very few pages. This work has won multiple awards and just one reading will allow the reader to know why.” – Books for Kids
“This is a tale for all ages. My five-year-old and eight-year-old both loved the story and plan to read it again and again. The book creators and publisher have produced an invaluable instrument in children's education.” – Front Street Reviews
“I would recommend this story. It is one of seeing yourself as who you were created to be. It could be a great springboard for discussion on different cultures and beliefs, how to gain confidence, and how to see ourselves through the eyes of God.” – The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Author/Illustrator Info:
Janet Ruth Heller (author) has her Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago. After a career of almost 30 years of teaching at various colleges and universities, she is currently an assistant professor for the English Department at Western Michigan University. She has taught a wide variety of classes, including creative writing and literature for children. Janet is a prolific writer of poetry and stories that have been published in a wide variety of magazines and journals. She is a founding mother of Primavera, a literary magazine based in Chicago. Her book of literary criticism, Coleridge, Lamb, Hazlitt, and the Reader of Drama, was published in 1990 by the University of Missouri Press.
Ben Hodson (artist) was born in Guelph, Ontario and grew up in Owen Sound where he loved to explore the magical woods, mossy caves and craggy, limestone cliffs of the Niagara escarpment. Before illustrating for children, he co-owned The Colour Forge, a card company in Waterloo, Ontario and also worked as a commercial artist, painting the interiors of restaurants and stores in Toronto, and as a designer of logos and novelty art. Ben currently illustrates full time from his home, about an hour outside of Ottawa. Ben loves a good adventure, like hiking the Pacific Coast Trail with a pack of wild borros or living in a small village in Nepal, but his favourite place to be is at home on the lake, with his dog and sketchbook. Ben is the 2003 recipient of the Applied Arts Illustration Annual Award and is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.
His published works for Sylvan Dell include 'Twas the Day Before Zoo Day, In Arctic Waters, and How the Moon Regained Her Shape (recipient of the Ben Franklin Award for best interior art). Other books include: I Love Yoga; Pigs Aren’t Dirty, Bears Aren’t Slow and Other Truths about Misunderstood Animals and Wishes and Worries: A Story to Help Children Understand a Parent Who Drinks Too Much Alcohol. Ben’s artwork for How the Moon Regained Her Shape was selected for the Society of Illustrators’ 26th Annual Original Art Exhibition and Ben was the 2004 recipient of the Glass Slipper Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators’ Canadian Conference. Visit Ben's website.
Science and Math through Literature
Janet Ruth Heller (author) has her Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Chicago. After a career of almost 30 years of teaching at various colleges and universities, she is currently an assistant professor for the English Department at Western Michigan University. She has taught a wide variety of classes, including creative writing and literature for children. Janet is a prolific writer of poetry and stories that have been published in a wide variety of magazines and journals. She is a founding mother of Primavera, a literary magazine based in Chicago. Her book of literary criticism, Coleridge, Lamb, Hazlitt, and the Reader of Drama, was published in 1990 by the University of Missouri Press. 
