Mama Moon: A Story about Love and Mental Health

By Noah Grigni

Book Overview

Deeply felt and beautifully told, Mama Moon is the story of a child who muses that their mother is like the moon--ever changing, sometimes blue, sometimes bright.

Mama loves warm summers, and eating cherries while stargazing with Baba and Kiddo. But on her bluest of days, she can't do the things that other mamas do.

Persevering with love, no matter what phase Mama is in, this family weathers the ups and downs of a loved one's illness.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 125082429X
• ISBN13: 9781250824295
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.7" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Brightly and brilliantly, Mama Moon sheds light on mental health

Mama Moon is an impactful and heartfelt children's book debut by author-illustrator Noah Grigni. The verbiage gives a soft, simple, and considerate use of rhyme that feels natural to read out loud. The story paces itself well and gives a good spotlight for each member of the family, and how each reacts to both positive and negative experiences. The artwork is equally wonderful and complements the text, through the dreamlike color schemes and soft outlines. My favorite pages involved the nighttime scenes, not only visually but as a storytelling tool as well. The scenes at night show the reality of the family's love and connection, as well as the symbolic imagery of the mother's condition by explaining bipolar disorder through the phases of the moon. These scenes especially are beautiful illustrations with the churning patterns of blue-white waves, the multicolored stars and flowers, and the speckled textures of the shoreline. Mama Moon is not afraid to show the ups and downs that both parents and children can experience. I appreciate the time the author took to show that while one parent ("Mama") is seeking treatment for mental health, the other parent ("Baba") reflects patience, sympathy, and support for their treatment. They listen to their child's initial frustration and confusion. Baba helps their child through this experience using transparency and emphasizing love and support for each other, even when someone is absent. I think Mama Moon is a great read for anyone and everyone, and I hope others will enjoy it as much as I have!