{"id":1164418625,"title":"Imani's Moon","handle":"imanis-moon","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/janay-brown-wood\" title=\"JaNay Brown-Wood bio\"\u003eJaNay Brown-Wood\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/hazel-mitchell\" title=\"Hazel Mitchell bio\"\u003eHazel Mitchell\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\"A challenge is only impossible until someone accomplishes it.\"\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle Imani is the smallest one in her village. The other children make fun of her and tell her she's too tiny, that she's an ant, that a meerkat might stomp her, and that she'll never amount to anything. Imani begins to believe them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt bedtime, Imani's mama tells her traditional Maasai stories about the moon goddess Olapa and Anansi the spider. They accomplished the impossible. Imani's mama tells her that she is the one who needs to believe if she wants to achieve great things. So Imani sets out to touch the moon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful story of a little girl who believed will inspire young readers to reach for their own moons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHazel Mitchell's warm and vibrant illustrations take young readers to the plains of Africa and a Maasai village where the animals always have something to say and little girls can touch the moon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStephen Colbert gives \u003ci\u003eImani's Moon\u003c\/i\u003e a shout out on The Late Show\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P4qN-478bYw?start=657\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/little-pig-joins-the-band\" title=\"Little Pig Joins the Band\"\u003eLittle Pig Joins the Band\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/whiskers-tails-wings\" title=\"Whiskers, Tails \u0026amp; Wings\"\u003eWhiskers, Tails \u0026amp; Wings\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/wangari-maathai-the-woman-who-planted-millions-of-trees\" title=\"Wangari Maathai\"\u003eWangari Maathai\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eWatch the Trailer\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DS1yRoBITEk\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER SPREAD BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/imanis-moon-spread.jpg?18196316114092556616\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJaNay Brown-Wood, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJaNay Brown-Wood dreams big. Ever since she was a little girl, she’s wanted to become a published author. Her determination paid off with the publication of her first book for children, Imani's Moon. JaNay is also a professor of early childhood education. She lives in California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/janay-brown-wood\" title=\"JaNay Brown-Wood bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about JaNay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHazel Mitchell, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen she was young, Hazel Mitchell’s great escapes were drawing and horses. She loved to sketch, read and look at books and would make up funny stories, plays and comics, and newsletters for her class.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/hazel-mitchell\" title=\"Hazel Mitchell bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Hazel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReading is Fundamental's Multicultural Booklist, Grades K to 5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWinner of the NAESP Picture Book Competition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cover illustration of a small girl, arms outstretched in front of a perfect full moon, invites readers into this story of determination tinged with magical realism. The scene is set on the title page: straw-covered huts, penned cattle, and flat-topped trees on a hilltop in Africa. Watercolor paintings add vibrant color and clear cultural details, for example, the beaded jewelry and characteristic clothing of the Masai. Imani is the smallest child in her village and a target for teasing. Her mother's nighttime stories of the moon goddess Olapa inspire her to try to touch the moon. Undeterred by children's taunts, Imani fails until she observes \"young warriors performing the aduma, the jumping dance. Over and over they jumped high into the sky, their heads caressing the clouds.\" And so, like a warrior, Imani jumps, higher and higher, until she lands on the moon. That night she is the one who tells a story, \"The Tale of the Girl Who Touched the Moon.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImani endures the insults heaped upon her by the other village children, but she never gives up her dreams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Masai girl is tiny compared to the other children, but she is full of imagination and perseverance. Luckily, she has a mother who believes in her and tells her stories that will fuel that imagination. Mama tells her about the moon goddess, Olapa, who wins over the sun god. She tells Imani about Anansi, the trickster spider who vanquishes a larger snake. (Troublingly, the fact that Anansi is a West African figure, not of the Masai, goes unaddressed in both text and author's note.) Inspired, the tiny girl tries to find new ways to achieve her dream: to touch the moon. One day, after crashing to the ground yet again when her leafy wings fail, she is ready to forget her hopes. That night, she witnesses the adumu, the special warriors' jumping dance. Imani wakes the next morning, determined to jump to the moon. After jumping all day, she reaches the moon, meets Olapa and receives a special present from the goddess, a small moon rock. Now she becomes the storyteller when she relates her adventure to Mama. The watercolor-and-graphite illustrations have been enhanced digitally, and the night scenes of storytelling and fantasy with their glowing stars and moons have a more powerful impact than the daytime scenes, with their blander colors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the blend of folklore, fantasy and realism is certainly far-fetched, Imani, with her winning personality, is a child to be admired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImani is the smallest girl in the village and therefore the target of much teasing. At night her mother fortifies her with tales of mythology and folklore, which the author mentions are part of the Maasai oral tradition. Imani is particularly inspired by the tale of Opala, the fearless moon goddess, and she sets out to accomplish her own great feat. After several failed attempts leave her disheartened, Imani notices warriors performing the \u003cem\u003eadumu\u003c\/em\u003e, a Maasai jumping dance. Inspired once again, Imani jumps up and down, higher and higher, until she reaches the moon. The message of hope and gentle lyrical tone make this the perfect story with which to lull listeners into sweet slumber. Mitchell's watercolor-and-graphite illustrations are filled with movement, emotion, color, and perspective. An author's note, meanwhile, contextualizes the story within Kenyan and Tanzanian culture and extends it beyond the oral tradition and into the written one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/imanis-moon-cvr.jpg?12008571910812458282\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/imanis-moon-hires.zip?7294514531261939918\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/imanis-moon-readers-theater.pdf?12008571910812458282\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Reader's Theater\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/imanis-moon-teachers-guide.pdf?12008571910812458282\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Teacher's Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-93413-357-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-93413-358-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-753-8 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-705-7 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 6-9\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e8 x 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2015-06-10T16:34:00-04:00","created_at":"2015-06-10T15:09:27-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Diversity","Browse by Subject_Early Childhood","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Social Studies\/Cultures","confidence","fairytale","girl"],"price":795,"price_min":795,"price_max":1795,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":3556342145,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"33576","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Imani's Moon - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1795,"weight":363,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-93413-357-6","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":3559325057,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"33583","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Imani's Moon - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":795,"weight":164,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-93413-358-3","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/imanis-moon-cover.jpg?v=1586796547"],"featured_image":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/imanis-moon-cover.jpg?v=1586796547","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Imani's Moon book cover","id":2474264657999,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.8,"height":750,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/imanis-moon-cover.jpg?v=1586796547"},"aspect_ratio":0.8,"height":750,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/imanis-moon-cover.jpg?v=1586796547","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/janay-brown-wood\" title=\"JaNay Brown-Wood bio\"\u003eJaNay Brown-Wood\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/hazel-mitchell\" title=\"Hazel Mitchell bio\"\u003eHazel Mitchell\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\"A challenge is only impossible until someone accomplishes it.\"\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle Imani is the smallest one in her village. The other children make fun of her and tell her she's too tiny, that she's an ant, that a meerkat might stomp her, and that she'll never amount to anything. Imani begins to believe them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt bedtime, Imani's mama tells her traditional Maasai stories about the moon goddess Olapa and Anansi the spider. They accomplished the impossible. Imani's mama tells her that she is the one who needs to believe if she wants to achieve great things. So Imani sets out to touch the moon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful story of a little girl who believed will inspire young readers to reach for their own moons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHazel Mitchell's warm and vibrant illustrations take young readers to the plains of Africa and a Maasai village where the animals always have something to say and little girls can touch the moon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStephen Colbert gives \u003ci\u003eImani's Moon\u003c\/i\u003e a shout out on The Late Show\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P4qN-478bYw?start=657\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/little-pig-joins-the-band\" title=\"Little Pig Joins the Band\"\u003eLittle Pig Joins the Band\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/whiskers-tails-wings\" title=\"Whiskers, Tails \u0026amp; Wings\"\u003eWhiskers, Tails \u0026amp; Wings\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/wangari-maathai-the-woman-who-planted-millions-of-trees\" title=\"Wangari Maathai\"\u003eWangari Maathai\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eWatch the Trailer\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DS1yRoBITEk\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER SPREAD BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/imanis-moon-spread.jpg?18196316114092556616\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJaNay Brown-Wood, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJaNay Brown-Wood dreams big. Ever since she was a little girl, she’s wanted to become a published author. Her determination paid off with the publication of her first book for children, Imani's Moon. JaNay is also a professor of early childhood education. She lives in California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/janay-brown-wood\" title=\"JaNay Brown-Wood bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about JaNay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHazel Mitchell, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen she was young, Hazel Mitchell’s great escapes were drawing and horses. She loved to sketch, read and look at books and would make up funny stories, plays and comics, and newsletters for her class.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/charlesbridge.myshopify.com\/pages\/hazel-mitchell\" title=\"Hazel Mitchell bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Hazel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReading is Fundamental's Multicultural Booklist, Grades K to 5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWinner of the NAESP Picture Book Competition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cover illustration of a small girl, arms outstretched in front of a perfect full moon, invites readers into this story of determination tinged with magical realism. The scene is set on the title page: straw-covered huts, penned cattle, and flat-topped trees on a hilltop in Africa. Watercolor paintings add vibrant color and clear cultural details, for example, the beaded jewelry and characteristic clothing of the Masai. Imani is the smallest child in her village and a target for teasing. Her mother's nighttime stories of the moon goddess Olapa inspire her to try to touch the moon. Undeterred by children's taunts, Imani fails until she observes \"young warriors performing the aduma, the jumping dance. Over and over they jumped high into the sky, their heads caressing the clouds.\" And so, like a warrior, Imani jumps, higher and higher, until she lands on the moon. That night she is the one who tells a story, \"The Tale of the Girl Who Touched the Moon.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImani endures the insults heaped upon her by the other village children, but she never gives up her dreams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Masai girl is tiny compared to the other children, but she is full of imagination and perseverance. Luckily, she has a mother who believes in her and tells her stories that will fuel that imagination. Mama tells her about the moon goddess, Olapa, who wins over the sun god. She tells Imani about Anansi, the trickster spider who vanquishes a larger snake. (Troublingly, the fact that Anansi is a West African figure, not of the Masai, goes unaddressed in both text and author's note.) Inspired, the tiny girl tries to find new ways to achieve her dream: to touch the moon. One day, after crashing to the ground yet again when her leafy wings fail, she is ready to forget her hopes. That night, she witnesses the adumu, the special warriors' jumping dance. Imani wakes the next morning, determined to jump to the moon. After jumping all day, she reaches the moon, meets Olapa and receives a special present from the goddess, a small moon rock. Now she becomes the storyteller when she relates her adventure to Mama. The watercolor-and-graphite illustrations have been enhanced digitally, and the night scenes of storytelling and fantasy with their glowing stars and moons have a more powerful impact than the daytime scenes, with their blander colors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the blend of folklore, fantasy and realism is certainly far-fetched, Imani, with her winning personality, is a child to be admired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImani is the smallest girl in the village and therefore the target of much teasing. At night her mother fortifies her with tales of mythology and folklore, which the author mentions are part of the Maasai oral tradition. Imani is particularly inspired by the tale of Opala, the fearless moon goddess, and she sets out to accomplish her own great feat. After several failed attempts leave her disheartened, Imani notices warriors performing the \u003cem\u003eadumu\u003c\/em\u003e, a Maasai jumping dance. Inspired once again, Imani jumps up and down, higher and higher, until she reaches the moon. The message of hope and gentle lyrical tone make this the perfect story with which to lull listeners into sweet slumber. Mitchell's watercolor-and-graphite illustrations are filled with movement, emotion, color, and perspective. An author's note, meanwhile, contextualizes the story within Kenyan and Tanzanian culture and extends it beyond the oral tradition and into the written one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/imanis-moon-cvr.jpg?12008571910812458282\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/imanis-moon-hires.zip?7294514531261939918\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/imanis-moon-readers-theater.pdf?12008571910812458282\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Reader's Theater\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/imanis-moon-teachers-guide.pdf?12008571910812458282\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Teacher's Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-93413-357-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-93413-358-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-753-8 EPUB\u003cbr\u003e ISBN: 978-1-60734-705-7 PDF\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 6-9\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e8 x 10\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

Imani's Moon

By: JaNay Brown-Wood / Illustrated by: Hazel Mitchell

"A challenge is only impossible until someone accomplishes it."

Little Imani is the smallest one in her village. The other children make fun of her and tell her she's too tiny, that she's an ant, that a meerkat might stomp her, and that she'll never amount to anything. Imani begins to believe them.

At bedtime, Imani's mama tells her traditional Maasai stories about the moon goddess Olapa and Anansi the spider. They accomplished the impossible. Imani's mama tells her that she is the one who needs to believe if she wants to achieve great things. So Imani sets out to touch the moon.

This beautiful story of a little girl who believed will inspire young readers to reach for their own moons.

Hazel Mitchell's warm and vibrant illustrations take young readers to the plains of Africa and a Maasai village where the animals always have something to say and little girls can touch the moon.

Stephen Colbert gives Imani's Moon a shout out on The Late Show

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JaNay Brown-Wood, author

JaNay Brown-Wood dreams big. Ever since she was a little girl, she’s wanted to become a published author. Her determination paid off with the publication of her first book for children, Imani's Moon. JaNay is also a professor of early childhood education. She lives in California.

Read more about JaNay.


Hazel Mitchell, illustrator

When she was young, Hazel Mitchell’s great escapes were drawing and horses. She loved to sketch, read and look at books and would make up funny stories, plays and comics, and newsletters for her class.

Read more about Hazel.

  • Reading is Fundamental's Multicultural Booklist, Grades K to 5
  • Winner of the NAESP Picture Book Competition

School Library Journal

The cover illustration of a small girl, arms outstretched in front of a perfect full moon, invites readers into this story of determination tinged with magical realism. The scene is set on the title page: straw-covered huts, penned cattle, and flat-topped trees on a hilltop in Africa. Watercolor paintings add vibrant color and clear cultural details, for example, the beaded jewelry and characteristic clothing of the Masai. Imani is the smallest child in her village and a target for teasing. Her mother's nighttime stories of the moon goddess Olapa inspire her to try to touch the moon. Undeterred by children's taunts, Imani fails until she observes "young warriors performing the aduma, the jumping dance. Over and over they jumped high into the sky, their heads caressing the clouds." And so, like a warrior, Imani jumps, higher and higher, until she lands on the moon. That night she is the one who tells a story, "The Tale of the Girl Who Touched the Moon."

Kirkus Reviews

Imani endures the insults heaped upon her by the other village children, but she never gives up her dreams.

The Masai girl is tiny compared to the other children, but she is full of imagination and perseverance. Luckily, she has a mother who believes in her and tells her stories that will fuel that imagination. Mama tells her about the moon goddess, Olapa, who wins over the sun god. She tells Imani about Anansi, the trickster spider who vanquishes a larger snake. (Troublingly, the fact that Anansi is a West African figure, not of the Masai, goes unaddressed in both text and author's note.) Inspired, the tiny girl tries to find new ways to achieve her dream: to touch the moon. One day, after crashing to the ground yet again when her leafy wings fail, she is ready to forget her hopes. That night, she witnesses the adumu, the special warriors' jumping dance. Imani wakes the next morning, determined to jump to the moon. After jumping all day, she reaches the moon, meets Olapa and receives a special present from the goddess, a small moon rock. Now she becomes the storyteller when she relates her adventure to Mama. The watercolor-and-graphite illustrations have been enhanced digitally, and the night scenes of storytelling and fantasy with their glowing stars and moons have a more powerful impact than the daytime scenes, with their blander colors.

While the blend of folklore, fantasy and realism is certainly far-fetched, Imani, with her winning personality, is a child to be admired.

Booklist

Imani is the smallest girl in the village and therefore the target of much teasing. At night her mother fortifies her with tales of mythology and folklore, which the author mentions are part of the Maasai oral tradition. Imani is particularly inspired by the tale of Opala, the fearless moon goddess, and she sets out to accomplish her own great feat. After several failed attempts leave her disheartened, Imani notices warriors performing the adumu, a Maasai jumping dance. Inspired once again, Imani jumps up and down, higher and higher, until she reaches the moon. The message of hope and gentle lyrical tone make this the perfect story with which to lull listeners into sweet slumber. Mitchell's watercolor-and-graphite illustrations are filled with movement, emotion, color, and perspective. An author's note, meanwhile, contextualizes the story within Kenyan and Tanzanian culture and extends it beyond the oral tradition and into the written one.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-93413-357-6

Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-93413-358-3

E-book
ISBN: 978-1-60734-753-8 EPUB
ISBN: 978-1-60734-705-7 PDF

Ages: 6-9
Page count: 32
8 x 10