Good Books
Goodnight Harvest Moon
Ivy F. DeShield, contributing editor
In the Northern Hemisphere, today, September 29th, through the 30th, is the time of the Harvest Moon for 2012. As you are reading this, it will be too late for most to experience the bright full moon, clothed in spectral radiance, which I’m gazing on as I compose this piece. But all is not lost; you will still be able to witness the next rising of a full moon, the Hunter’s Moon, on October 29th. And if you live even further north, i.e. Canada or Alaska, you will still be able to spy the Harvest Moon shining from dusk until dawn into early October. I won’t delve fully into the origin of the Harvest Moon since that is not my purpose here, but I will add that many believe the Harvest Moon to have been named such by farmers, as it signified the close of summer, beginning of fall and the dawning of the season to gather their mature crops or harvest. (More information: www.earthsky.org.)
For me, the fall season denotes a gathering, not of crops, but of family, friends and those that are most cherished in our lives. It is a homecoming, of sorts, an awakening of the senses as we breathe in the chillier air and keenly brisk notes of evergreen and musky jasmine. We are fully returned from our summer travels and ready to settle back into our daily family and/or personal routines in our homes and on our jobs. It is a time for feasts, potlucks and merriment; a moment to take long walks through your neighborhood or simply step into your backyard to commune with nature; and an opportunity for all, especially children, to experience the miracle of God’s magnificent gifts on earth. But more extraordinary, we are able to say “Goodnight” to all of these things and wake to see them again as more wondrous than the day before. With every season comes a new world to gaze upon; every day beholds a new bloom; and each night, a new moon.
I can only imagine that the most uncaring of hearts would not be thankful for the many majestic marvels that we are blessed to witness each and every day, and it is no small wonder that the highly acclaimed author, Margaret Wise Brown (1910-1952), thought to gift children everywhere with her iconic bedtime story, “Goodnight Moon”, published in 1947 and illustrated by Clement Hurd (1908-1988). This beautiful, timeless work of children’s literature celebrating a little bunny’s simple appreciation of all things, big and small, has been a favorite of past generations and is still one of the most requested reads from young tykes across the nation before they are tucked snugly into their beds. Brown’s tale begins: In the great green room/There was a telephone/And a red balloon/And a picture of -/The cow jumping over the moon.../Goodnight room/Goodnight moon/Goodnight cow jumping over the moon...
In this poetic masterpiece, the little bunny continues until he has softly wished everything in his small world a heartwarming goodnight. As Brown spins her magical rhyme, Hurd’s charming illustrations help the reader follow the rhythm of every tiny, colorful detail in the little bunny’s room. This literary lullaby has many lessons for young children in its story, but understanding and acknowledging the value of the world around them is probably one of the most crucial. This teaching is not lost on more mature minds either. Goodbye, summer...goodnight (harvest) moon. Enjoy the read!
Note: In a 2012 poll by School Library Journal, “Goodnight Moon” was named as one of the “Top 100 Picture Books” of all time.