Moon
Author: Alison Oliver
Illustrator: Alison Oliver
Clarion Books
17 April 2018
40 pages
Alison Oliver’s debut picture book as an author/illustrator, Moon, is a simply worded and evocatively illustrated story. Throughout her busy days, Moon wonders what it would be like to be wild and free until the day she meets a wolf and learns all about his wolfish ways. And she’s forever changed by the experience.
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Educational Activities inspired by Alison Oliver’s Moon:
- Before Reading–Ask students:
- “What do you think of when you hear the word ‘moon’?”
- “From looking at the front cover, what do you think the relationship is between the girl and the wolf?”
- “What do you notice about the girl?”
- After Reading–What does the following line mean? “But she wasn’t the same Moon anymore.” Is there any evidence in the pictures that suggests/proves she isn’t the same? WHY isn’t she the same Moon anymore? Do you think it’s a good change? Why/why not?
- Further Reading–A wolf plays a big role in this story. Read another book about wolves, such as one of those listed below, and then compare the wolf characters in the stories. What do they do differently? Which wolf (or wolves) do you like the most? Why? Which would you like to go on an adventure with, like Moon did? Which wolf would you like to read more about?
(Click on the book cover for more information on any of these titles!)
- Activity–The wolf teaches Moon its “wolfy ways,” which includes howling, pouncing, and playing. In your best wolf fashion, try howling. Try pouncing. Try playing. How does it feel? What do you think about “wolfy ways”?
- Crafts–Using crayons (or colored pencils) and paper, draw yourself in the Great Forest beneath an ocean of stars. What would it feel like to sit there in the dark with a wolf friend? To have the insects around you hush into quietness? To have the breeze blow through your hair?
- Writing–This story follows Moon throughout. How would the story be different if the wolf were the main character? What lessons could the wolf learn from Moon? Write that version yourself.