October 1 was the first full moon of autumn, and the date of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. I have done programming on the moon from a scientific perspective in the past (during the 2019 Universe of Stories summer reading theme), but this time I wanted to concentrate on how the moon has been celebrated traditionally and across cultures.
You can see the virtual program that does not include the full books read aloud here.
Early Literacy Tip: Children are naturally curious about the world around them. Take advantage of this curiosity to help them develop background knowledge. When we talk with our children about things that interest them and when we share books to broaden their knowledge, all this learning they have about the world, big ideas and little facts, will help them later understand what they read.
Welcome Song: We Clap and Sing Hello
Discussion: Did you get to see the full moon on Thursday? Ever since then it’s gotten a little bit smaller and skinnier as it goes through its phases. Did you know that throughout all of history, and all over the world, people have looked up in the sky and told stories about the moon? In China, Japan, Korea, the Aztec empire, and the Cree people of Canada have all told stories about the Moon Rabbit. The Salish people of the Pacific Northwest and in China there are also stories about a Moon Toad! In Angola stories were told about the Moon Frog, and the Maori of New Zealand had a story about the Lady in the Moon. You may have heard of the “Man in the Moon,” which is common where we live – that originated with a story from Germany! Perhaps you’ve seen drawings of the moon that look like this (holding up full and crescent versions of a “man in the moon.”) The moon is so far away that people couldn’t see it very clearly, so they imagined what it looked like. But now, we have telescopes that give us a better picture (hold up full and crescent photographs of the moon). Still, it’s fun to use our imaginations and tell stories about the moon. (Credit to Mental Floss for the global moon stories – also, I realize I probably babbled on about all this for much too long! Editing myself is something I’m working on…)
Here are some traditional nursery rhymes that feature the moon
Rhyme: The Man In The Moon
The man in the moon looked out of the moon,
Looked out of the moon and said:
It’s time for all children on the Earth
To think about getting to bed!
Credit: traditional
Flannel Rhyme: Hey, Diddle, Diddle
Hey, diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle
The cow jumped over the moon
The little dog laughed to see such fun
And the dish ran away with the spoon
Credit: traditional
Read: Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
Song: Moon, Moon, Moon
Moon, moon, moon, shining bright
Moon, moon, moon, my night light
Moon, moon, moon, I can see
Moon, moon, moon, you’re taking care of me
(sing twice)
Look up, it’s the moon
Look up, it’s the moon
Look up, it’s the moon up in the sky
It’s big and round and I have found
That it looks just like a pizza pie!
Credit: The Laurie Berkner Band, from the album Victor Vito
Rhyme: The Moon is Round
The moon is round –
As round can be (trace the circle of your face)
Two eyes, a nose, (point at eyes and nose)
And a mouth like me! (point at mouth, then hug baby or self)
Credit: Jbrary
Fingerplay: Sun and Moon
(One hand is the moon as a crescent and the other is the
sun – spread five fingers for sun’s rays)
Moon comes out, Sun goes in
Here is a blanket to cuddle your chin (tickle chin)
Moon goes in, and Sun comes out
Throw off the blankets and bustle about!
(Fling arms out wide and wiggle body)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime
The next book compares the light of the moon to butter!
Read: Moonlight by Helen V. Griffith & Laura Dronzek
Action Rhyme: Big Yellow Moon
Big yellow moon shines so bright, (circle overhead)
Glides across the starry night (arms glide left to right)
Looks down at me (hand shades eyes)
Asleep in bed, (head on hands)
Whispers, “Good night sleepyhead.” (shh)
Big yellow moon, your turn is done (circle overhead, then move arms down)
Here comes Mr. Morning Sun (circle overhead)
I wake up. (arms stretch out)
You go to bed. (head on hands)
“Sleep well, Moon, you sleepyhead.” (shh)
Credit: King County Library System
Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!
Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon (rhythmically slide hands by each other)
Zoom, zoom, zoom, we’re going to the moon
If you’d like to take a trip, climb aboard my rocket ship (fingers walk up opposite arm)
Zoom zoom zoom, we’re going to the moon
In 5…4…3…2…1…BLAST OFF! (count on hands, crouch lower and lower, then JUMP!)
Credit: Jbrary
The last story is about the Mid-Autumn Moon festival, which is celebrated in China and many other Asian countries, and among some Asian-American families. It’s an opportunity to give thanks for a good harvest, and is centered on the full moon.
Read: Thanking the Moon by Grace Lin
Fingerplay: Twinkling Stars
At night I see the twinkling stars (wiggle fingers)
And the great big shining moon (arms overhead in circle)
My mama tucks me into bed (fists under chin)
And sings this goodnight tune! (follow with a lullaby)
Credit: Sunflower Storytime
Ukulele Song: I See the Moon
(tune of Hush, Little Baby)
I see the moon and the moon sees me
Down through the leaves of the old oak tree
Please let the moon that shines on me
Shine on the ones I love
Over the mountain, over the sea
Back where my heart is longing to be
Please let the moon that shines on me
Shine on the ones I love
Credit: Jbrary
Download a ukulele songsheet for I See the Moon
Craft: Moon Lanterns
Make a paper lantern just like the ones we saw in Thanking the Moon. Easy instructions can be easily found online. This craft gives kids practice cutting, and being careful not to cut all the way through the folded paper, but to stop before the end. There are many variations – ours had an inner tube of contrasting color and a handle that was made from a 1.5 inch strip cut from that inner piece.
I also booktalked these alternative titles during the permanent YouTube video.
Moonbeams: A Lullaby of the Phases of the Moon by Ann Bausum & Kyung Eun Han
Max and the Tag-Along Moon by Floyd Cooper
A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin
Closing Rhyme: Tickle the Stars
This storytime was presented virtually on 10/6/20.
Storytime Handout:
Storytime with Ms. Emily Library 
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