*Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth Kraegel

Nothing will stop Mother Shrew’s quest to fetch wild honey from the moon for her sick son, Hugo.

*Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth Kraegel. Candlewick, 2019. 64 pages.

• Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
• Recommended For: Ages 0-8

Something is wrong with Hugo, and Mother Shrew is worried. When she consults a medical tome, she discovers just the symptoms plaguing little Hugo, but only one known cure: wild honey from the moon. So, she sets off. When she bids a sleepy Hugo farewell, he points out she can’t fly. To which she replies, “Darling, I am your mother.” Armed with a red umbrella, she begins her quest.

Kragel’s gentle story is divided into chapters with gorgeous, finely detailed ink and watercolor illustrations detailing Mother Shrew’s journey. First she meets her enemy, The Great Horned Owl. In an exchange that is Kipling-esque, Mother Shrew persuades him to show his prowess by flying her to the moon. Once on the moon, she wanders through a shifting landscape, encountering different creatures till at last she finds the source of wild honey. 

Sometimes a book is overt in its message. From the beginning, we are told Mother Shrew is determined. She is a mother, and nothing will stop her. Yet, Kenneth Kraegel spins his tale into one that is reminiscent of the classics. The simplicity of the story and its illustrations resemble Elsa Holmelund Minarik’s Little Bear books. The slightly elevated language and storytelling bring Kipling and Tolkien to mind. Overall, a delight to read aloud, and a new favorite to revisit.

*indicates a Redeemed Reader starred review, an outstanding example in its field.

Bottom Line: Young readers will find themselves drawn into the gentle story of an unflappable, determined, and kind Mother Shrew’s journey to fetch Wild Honey from the Moon in an excellent bedtime read-aloud.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Reviews: Picture books with a similar feel include Knight Owl and the sequel, Knight Owl and Early Bird, as well as Hugo and the Impossible Thing.
• Book Review: Heckedy Peg is about another unstoppable mother.
• Resource: Browse our picture book category for more ideas!

You may purchase Wild Honey from the Moon from Amazon.