Sun and Moon

by Lindsey Yankey

Sun and Moon have always held their own places in the sky, but after a lifetime of darkness Moon wants to trade. Sun agrees, but only if first Moon takes a careful look at his night, before making his final decision. Follow Moon as he travels through the dark discovering enchanting animals and scenes unique to the nighttime, foxes hunting, children dreaming, lamplighters, and fireflies. Will Moon still wish to change places in the sky? Or will he realize the beauty of what he already has? Fine details amidst bright bold mixed-media illustrations will capture readers of all ages in this story of discovery and appreciation.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Nature, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 20, 2015

About the author

Lindsey Yankey studied illustration at the University of Kansas and is the author-illustrator of Bluebird and Sun and Moon. She lives in Lawrence, Kansas.

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so pretty!
I love the illustrations in this simple story about the moon wanting to trade places with the sun so that it can see all the wonders the sun sees in the daytime.
I also like the message: Appreciate what you have before you go asking for more.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captures the beauty and mystery of the natural world as readers follow moon who wants to be the sun because he thinks the sun has more fun and sees more than him. So the sun makes him a deal because once it gets made, he cannot go back and lo and behold, moon realizes he's got it made as the moon.

It's a lovely message with a delightful set of illustrations in a very easy to read and understand narrative.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

The moon wants to switch places with the sun. Creative and unique illustrations.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book about wanting to be someone else so badly that you don't see the beauty that is already around you.

The writing is simple and pretty but outshone by the illustrations. It is the type of book where you have to view the whole picture or you miss out on the details.

Definitely a good book for little readers. To make it interactive you can have kids list everything they see both during the day and the night.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best of 2015. 4 1/2 stars. Absolutely gorgeous! Love the illustrations! The storyline is brilliant! Thought it would be just another same old story of Sun and Moon trading places, but this was a fresh look. Hooray!

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

So pretty! I'm sorry there wasn't a note about the art, because I am captivated. The story has a lovely mythic quality, and a strong ending, so I'm not even too bothered by casting the moon as a weaker and opposing sun.

Library copy

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this one up because we've loved Lindsey Yankey's other work. This is a sort of classic moral fable about curiosity about greener grass and appreciating what you have. It's done well, but my kid was weirdly resistant to reading this book (I think because the cover is so dark) that we only read it once or twice and it didn't have the chance to really leave an impression. I'll try taking it out again another time, but I feel like it landed like most updated fables do with me - done well, but doesn't really grab me as a repeat storytime choice.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are what make "Sun and Moon" worth checking out. The art here is stunningly beautiful. The story itself left me wanting. Why is the Sun automatically wise and the Moon automatically foolish? Why does the Sun insist on such strict conditions? The obvious message is that the Moon should be happer with its place in the night sky, but why isn't the Sun as curious about the nighttime world as the Moon is about the daytime world?

[Sarah Easton Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book! The bright and dark colors together, the way the characters and figures are drawn on the page. And the story is lovely too. Moon is encouraged to "look closely at the earth, like you've never looked before".

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The moon wants to switch places with the sun for a day, but the sun says that the moon must think carefully about his decision and look carefully at all that goes on at night before deciding since the change will be permanent.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork in this book is just amazing, with a dreamlike quality.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely! Perfect bedtime reading.

[Thomasin Propson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous! Want to see more artwork by this author/illustrator!

My firstborn asked me whether "Lindsey" might mean "thin or skinny" because of the style of animals drawn. Hah!

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful bedtime book in which the moon wants to switch roles with the sun. Themes on taking notice/being grateful for the beauty around you. Completely lovely illustrations.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations.

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sun and Moon have always held their own places in the sky, but after a lifetime of darkness all Moon wants is to spend just one day as Sun. Sun agrees, but only if first Moon takes a careful look at his night, before making his final decision. Follow Moon as he travels through the dark discovering enchanting animals and scenes unique to the night-time, foxes hunting, children dreaming, lamplighters and fireflies. Will Moon still wish to trade Sun places in the sky? Or will he realize the beauty of what he already has?

Notes
Lindsey Yankey grew up in rural Kansas, playing outside with her sister and giant little brother. When she was inside she spent time meticulously drawing with colored pencils and oil pastels. She later earned a BFA with and emphasis in Illustration from The University of Kansas in 2009. Since then Lindsey has spent time traveling and starting her career as a children's book illustrator and author. Bluebird was her first children's book in English and was preceded by In cerca del vento, the Italian edition. In cerca del vento earned a mention for the Bologna Ragazzi Opera Prima. She has also illustrated a collection of short stories by E. Nesbit titled Melisenda e altre storie da non credere.Her illustrations are created through a variety of materials. Some of her favorites include oil paint, watercolor, found paper, and linoleum block. She strives to create books that all children, as well as grown ups who were once children, can enjoy. Lindsey currently lives in Lawrence, KS with her husband, cat, dog, and their jungle of houseplants.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The folk art style of this book’s illustrations are beautiful and they set the story off perfectly. The moon is tired of nothing happening when he is awake. He wants to see a day, just one. The sun promises that they can trade as long moon agrees it will be forever, and that it takes a night to really study its surroundings. The story is lovely and has a traditional “told” feeling rather than a “read” feeling.
+16 #TBRread

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of the most beautiful books I've ever read. The illustrations are absolutely breathtaking. I want every spread framed on my walls. I would never get tired of looking at them. I know I tend toward hyperbole in my reviews of picture books, but I'd give this book ten stars if I could. Perfect.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moon begs Sun to trade. Sun says okay IF Moon spends the night looking closely at the earth. Moon is amazed by the wonders of the night. After an evening of activities, Moon does not want to trade. A very folk tale look and feel, but no mention about being a classic tale. Great story to share.

2024 storytime theme: Storytime After Dark - Moon

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Trisha Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrative of this book is about the moon wanting to switch places with the sun. As far as folktales and storytelling is concerned, I love this book, but it wasn't the best choice for storytime. There weren't a lot of places to work in dialogic reading, and it's a little long.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story about the moon wanting to trade places withe the sun, but first moon must look very closely at the nighttime. Beautiful scenes of some things that are to be seen at night and not in the daytime. Peaceful story.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long for my story time, but a good "legend" type picture book that explains why the moon is "out" at night.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is transcendent and the story paces itself to the art perfectly. A timeless book.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about looking at things differently and appreciating what you have. Intricate artwork and beautiful storytelling. I don't know how much children in a storytime would appreciate it, though.

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

v pretty.

[Catlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another classroom favorite. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story is sweet.

[DiAnne Warfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

PJ story time 6-12-19

[Ao · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is soooooo pretty!

[Kelly]

This was an okay book. It shows you that if you look closer, the grass can actually be greener or green enough on your side.

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beautiful. I love the color palette and the message is wonderful, too.