Nobody Owns the Moon

NOBODY OWNS THE MOON is a lovely picture book read about friendship and fortune. Clive is a fox who has learned how to survive in the city, working at a factory and finding interesting things to see in his spare time. He has a friend or two, such as Humphrey the donkey. Humphrey has less success living in the city and is homeless. One day, when checking on his friend, Clive notices that Humphrey does not look well - and he has a mysterious envelope in his pack. When Clive opens it with him, they find two tickets to a show, Nobody Owns the Moon. They go to the show together and enjoy the foods included with the ticket, having an incredible night.

What I loved: This is a whimsical story that contains themes around homelessness, city life, and friendship. The story itself is one that takes a few readings to really understand and appreciate. For older readers, this is a book that they can think about and consider further, with themes around acceptance, responsibility to others, and socioeconomic inequality. The story carries a complexity that would work best for older picture book readers.

The illustrations are really lovely throughout, capturing the feel of the city in addition to the experiences, emotions, and expressions of the main characters. The magic of the play and the treats of that night come to life through these characters and their portrayal. The font is large, clear, and easy to read, making this work well for independent readers as well as for reading aloud.

Final verdict: An intriguing and thought-provoking read, NOBODY OWNS THE MOON is a lovely picture book about friendship, connection, and shared experience. Recommend for older picture book readers.