Beautiful Moon: A Child’s Prayer by Tonya Bolden

Beautiful Moon: A Child’s Prayer by Tonya Bolden and illustrated by Eric Velasquez. Abrams, 2014. 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Books (ages 0-8)
Recommended for: All ages

Beautiful Moon is a beautiful book illustrated by award-winning illustrator Eric Velasquez. In it, a young boy is kept from sleeping by the brilliant full moon outside his window, and he remembers that he forgot to say his goodnight prayers. Instead of the typical prayers for mom or dad, a hurt elbow, or a loose tooth, this young man prays for those in need, those too busy to enjoy the world around them, those hurt by injustice. As he prays each line, the illustrations show people of all nationalities who are caught up in the very struggle for which the boy is praying. While the prayer is not directed specifically at God (nor is it directed at the moon), this is a wonderful tool for us to show our young children the breadth of the needs in our world and to guide our own prayers as we lift up those around us who are suffering.

Cautions: none

Overall Value: 4.75 (out of 5)

• Moral/worldview value: 4.5
• Artistic value: 5

Categories: Multicultural, Picture Books, Character Values, Life Issues

Cover image from Amazon