Author: James Thurber
Illustrator: Marc Simont
Publisher: Harcourt 1990, Text ©1943
Themes: princess, moon, cleverness, imagination
Age Level: Pre-school to Grade 3
Opening: Once upon a time, in a kingdom by the sea, there lived a little princess named Lenore. She was ten years old going on eleven. One day Lenore fell ill of a surfeit of raspberry tarts and took to her bed.
Summary: Princess Lenore asks her doting father for the moon: “If I can have the moon, I will be well again.” After his wise consultants cannot help him, the King finally calls on his lowly but clever Jester to help solve the problem.
Why I like this Book: So clever and delightful, I cannot believe, after reading at least 3,500 picture books this year alone, it has taken me so long to find this gem! This really celebrates the intelligence and creativity of children! The original edition of Many Moons, illustrated by Louis Slobodkin and beloved by so many, remains in print alongside this newly illustrated version. Click here for a peek at Slobodkin’s illustrations.
Resources/Activities: Read and compare another great PB about pleasing a princess, like Clever Jack Takes the Cake, by Candace Fleming, illustrated by G.Brian Karas; ask students to imagine what they might have asked for (like the princess) that would seem impossible to fulfill, and imagine ways to solve the task!
For more PPBF selections: go to Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog – any day!
julie rowan-zoch 
OK, this grabbed me instantly with: “a surfeit of raspberry tarts!” Must read!
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I know – that’s what got me too!
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This also grabbed my attention. Love the story. Looked at the illustrations and they are lovely!
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Did you already know this story? (I’ll admit I didn’t even check Susanna’s list – oops!). I just liked it so much!
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No I saw it in the library and read it. Almost took it out, but have a stack at home. You’re fine.
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LOVE this book, Julie! How can you not love a book with “surfeit of raspberry tarts” in its description? 🙂 In answer to your question above, I think Joanna or someone might have done this before, but it may well not be on the list which someone is very behind on updating and I will have to speak sternly to her about that and possibly dock her pay 🙂 And anyway, I don’t think it hurts to have good books up more than once with different ideas for resources 🙂
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Hey girl! You can chill – we PPBF-bloggers should be trying to get you the moon too!
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I’ve not seen this book before. We all know good books are read and presented over and over again. Took a peak at the illustrations. Whimsical approach, I love ’em!
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yep, I double checked, and I did review it. it just shows are shared taste, Julie!
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Gives me somethin’ to read too. I think I want to marry this book.
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I love books based (even loosely) on Medieval times. This looks like another winner!
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Have you got another medieval PB suggestion for me?
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Julie, we must have very similar taste. This is one of my hands-down favorite books and when I saw it on the PPBF list I jumped right to your review. I LOVE this book and it should be required reading for all writers. It is so clever, and the way he solves the problem is so simple and obvious, it left me breathless the first time I read it. There’s a lot of great books out there, but this is one of those that makes me want to shout EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!!!
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YEAH! It’s going to be my own stocking stuffer this year!
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The plot reminds me a bit of Eric Carle’s PAPA GET THE MOON FOR ME. This one sounds like a winner.
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Thanks for that suggestion – I’ll have to put it on hold!
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The version I have has fold-out flaps. As an artist, I think you’ll appreciate it.
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Who was the illustrator on that one?
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Eric Carle
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Danke!
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3,500 wow! It looks lovely!
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It’s a vice – lucky I have a library card, eh?
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We love James Thurber at our house. I particularly like his dog stories. But I’ve not seen this one. I like when kids books throw in those big words. Surfeit is a big word to think about. I’m going to have to look for this one.
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Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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“Once upon a time, in a kingdom by the sea, there lived a little princess named Lenore. She was ten years old going on eleven. One day Lenore fell ill of a surfeit of raspberry tarts and took to her bed.” Oh my goodness! I love that! Wonderful opening lines. The cover is beautiful. I have to find this. Thanks for the review.
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I’ve loved James Thurber’s writing for eons, but haven’t yet read this one. It sounds wonderful!
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Three Things To Tell you Today – I think I would like this book; the opening is very nice, and; To the Library with me!
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The cover is very eye catching … mmm gonna have to get this out of the library just so I can see the simplicity with which the problem is sloved. Thanks for this Julie.
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