Mama, Let's Make a Moon

by Clay Rice

"Mama let's make a moon; it won't cost too much. We'll use second-hand stardust And leftover love; We'll stuff it with silly And marshmallow goo And paint it with promise. Mama, Let's make a moon."

Award winning and nationally recognized author/illustrator Clay Rice has created a beautifully poetic tale about a humble mountain family who decide to make a moon. Created with Rice's renowned individual paper cut art, the fun begins when the brother and sister start collecting the “ingredients”. The “Recipe For A Moon” contains everything from “a stream full of silver, a swan’s starry shine, and 2 ‘possum’s paws of dream dust from the imagination mine.” Along the way they teach the reader about love, the importance of relationships, and the joy of making something from nothing.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2013

Reviews

[ANg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh what a lovely sweet book this is, an author and an artist. Silhoutte Cutting. A story of love and family and a sprinkle of magic.
I just love childrens books, keeps this old heart of mine a wee bit softer and kinder.
<3

[Linda Galella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well made, jacketed hardcover where the book front itself has the same artwork as the paper cover; very helpful for removing it with young kids.

“Mama, Let’s Make a Moon” is an unusual book. Most of the graphics are done in black ink with white drop out. It looks like it might be scratchboard where a white layer is underneath the top black layer. Some pages have colored backgrounds, a few colored dragonflies & fireflies and one striking goose that takes up an entire page is white with black lines and subtle grey shading. As an entire package, the appearance is primitive country which fits the language of the poetry. It will be easy for young readers to match pictures to the poem and learn the words with a good amount of repeating key phrases.

All things considered, a simple story with a gentle rhyming pattern and subtle touch of faith📚

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

What beautiful art! Clay Rice is a master at silhouette cutting and I could look at the pages of these book over and over and still be amazed that the illustrations are done by butting paper. The poetry feels both lyrical and “folksy,” but more literal-thinking young ones may have trouble with the story of a mama and her children using actual items in their home plus some magic to create and then hang a moon. But some will find the tale fun and may enjoy creating their own recipe for other celestial objects. This book has a place in libraries serving 3-7 year olds as well as in art classrooms.

[TammyJo Eckhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clay Rice's silhouettes are enchanting to look at. The use of occasional color along the black silhouettes entice you to spend a great deal of time on them. I had to insist we keep reading first and then go back or we would have missed the quality for the text. The text is poetic and has a lovely rhythm if you have the skill to read it that way. The story seems to be original or at least it isn't a folktale that I'm aware of. A slightly older child might have appreciated it all a bit more, but I as the adult loved it.

[Jordyn Pounders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mama, Let's Make a Moon, is a very creative tale about some kids who want to create a new moon. They pick random things from around them, as random as they can find. They end up creating the most beautiful moon and walking the stair steps to heaven just to hang their moon and adore it.
I really enjoyed this book because I love artistic creativity. I would use this in a classroom to encourage creativity in my kids.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a magical little story about a family who makes and hangs a moon, just as though it were something they did every month or so.

[Olivia Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I know nothing about -- Finished reading 1/4/2022

A book that tries to teach the reader about love, the importance of relationships, and the joy of of making something from nothing.

[Lynne Vanderveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This evocative, spectacular book is a new favorite! I read the library copy and immediately ordered my own copy. The cut-paper silhouette illustrations are striking, the use of language, the content...all of it is just wonderful! I have to find out if there are more books by this author!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book that reads like a song. Would be great at a preschool-K storytime! Both the story and images are fantastic!

[Monica Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting woodcut style illustrations, but the plot is meh with a folklore twist. Stick with Papa Get the Moon for Me instead!

[Sean Toohey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is sheer magic.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful pictures. short rhyming text. full of imagination.

[1000springs]

It's words were a little difficult for me, but the pictures were beautiful💕