TITLE: Magic Moon A Young Boy's Journey (Vol. 1) Magic Moon Sister’s Turn (Vol. 2) AUTHOR: Shirley Moulton, Illustrated by Marilyn WhitchurchStar Rating: Vol. 1: 4/5 Vol. 2: 4/5

Vol. 1  ‘A fun story, sweetly illustrated and awash with words of wisdom.

’Vol. 2  ‘Children aged 6 – 9 will love this sparkling, often thoughtful, story.’ 

I rather enjoyed these two short novels for children; but, most importantly, so did my 7 yr old daughter. Firstly, the story in both books is well-written. The writing style is apt for children of my daughter’s age: short paragraphs with plenty happening to keep a child’s alert mind amused. The characters, particularly the rather melodramatic Magic Moon, are fun to follow; the adventure packed full of twists and turns to keep even 7 yr old boys amused.The author works hard to offer the young reader a message. Hidden within the first story is the importance of happiness; in the second book, thinking of others and the importance of family. But the author understands how important it is not to ‘push it in the face’ of the young reader. The message is there, but the reader can also, if they wish, simply enjoy a sweetly written story.Now to the illustrations. For my daughter, they were the best part of the books. Yes, she enjoyed the plots, characters and settings, but it was the colourful, even delightful, drawings that had her enthralled. There are plenty too in both books, and they, along with the lightly written story, kept her enthralled all evening.

 Critic’s Pick, Top 10% Indie Books Worth Discovering, (2018 & Sept. 10, 2019) —"A message book with a bit of mystery."

A young boy climbs a mountain to the Magic Moon in this children’s picture book. The titular Moon will grant visitors two requests during their lifetimes—to find a lost treasure and to receive something good that won’t hurt anyone. A young white boy makes the journey and gets his first answer: His sister’s lost dolly is behind the woodpile. At school, a new student is ostracized and teased, but the protagonist plays with him, enjoying his invention involving a ball and a peach basket. The boy later climbs the mountain to ask the Magic Moon for “the secret of happiness.” But the Moon tells the boy that he already knows, reminding him of how he felt helping his sister and the new kid at school. His second trek isn’t wasted, though. The Moon says: “The difficult journey makes the happiness found at the end sweeter!” Debut author Moulton gives her Magic Moon an interestingly challenging personality with a booming voice, sometimes making jokes, sometimes oracular. This characterization rescues the story as a whole from becoming too syrupy while still getting the message across. Young basketball lovers will enjoy the veiled references to that game’s origins. Whitchurch’s painted illustrations are...varied and nicely composed.

"Warm and cozy, wearing its lessons lightly." A young girl seeks out the Magic Moon to help her sad brother in Moulton’s second picture book in a series.Two years ago, a little white girl’s brother visited the Magic Moon, who can grant two requests at certain times—to find something lost and to get something good but not harmful. Thanks to her brother’s request, her lost dolly was found. Now he’s glum and lonely after his best friend moved away. So the girl decides to repay her brother’s favor and makes a long, cold, and snowy hike up the mountain. The Magic Moon is a bit odd and can’t bring the best friend back, but it offers advice: “Continue to do what you are already doing. Be patient and kind but give him some time.” This advice helps, and the siblings return for a friendly visit, riding a sled underneath the Moon. As in the first book, the Moon is depicted as an intriguing character with a mischievous side that can be somewhat unsettling at times. ..he does pleasingly honor the boy’s feelings rather than squash them. Whitchurch’s images are bright and appropriately childlike... 

5/5 Stars.  In Magic Moon: A Young Boy’s Journey by Shirley Moulton, Magic Moon is a fearsome entity that grants two requests once a month to all who manage to make the journey up the treacherous mountain to visit him. However, there are limitations to these requests. The first request must be to find a lost treasure, and the second must be for something good that will not cause harm to anyone. Although the boy is young, he is also determined and brave. His younger sister begs him to ask Magic Moon to find her beloved toy doll, and although he had wanted to ask Magic Moon where his only and favorite toy had been misplaced, he chooses to make his sister happy. She is overjoyed to be reunited with her dolly, and her brother is content knowing this. When he befriends a new child at school, he returns to see Magic Moon again. Will the omnipotent being grant the boy his second request. Magic Moon is a lovely children’s story about courage and selflessness. Shirley Moulton wrote Magic Moon with flair. Her prose is simple yet beautiful. It was a pleasure to read this heartwarming tale. The characters in this story are fleshed out well and very likable. Magic Moon, who is initially intimidating, is shown to have a witty sense of humor. The young boy is also very sincere and endearing. His generosity and kindness are commendable traits that children may find inspiring. Marilyn Whitchurch’s glossy full-page illustrations are also a welcome addition to the narrative. Readers of all ages will enjoy this enchanting story.