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thebookdog's review
4.0
Max's adventure is uplifting, and moving. More in my blog here: https://worncorners.com/2017/07/21/if-my-moon-was-your-sun-always-around/
maxstark's review
3.0
This is a cute little story about a boy and his grandpa. Very short and fast paced. It could help children to understand Alzheimer disease. My only issue with it is that, due to its length, it feels shallow. I needed some more background in the story to get attached to the characters.
The writing is not bad and it’s focused for those little ones, but it feels like the writer should have invested more time on the grandson/grandpa relation either than in the descriptions. I find the relation the author gives for Alzheimer and the moon cycles very interesting.
Even thought this is a good anecdote to read.
The writing is not bad and it’s focused for those little ones, but it feels like the writer should have invested more time on the grandson/grandpa relation either than in the descriptions. I find the relation the author gives for Alzheimer and the moon cycles very interesting.
Even thought this is a good anecdote to read.
worncorners's review
4.0
Max's adventure is uplifting, and moving. More in my blog here: https://worncorners.com/2017/07/21/if-my-moon-was-your-sun-always-around/
adrianab's review
5.0
It is beautiful story about the special relationship between grandfather with dementia and his grandchild, Very touching.
Thank you Netgalley for this copy.
Thank you Netgalley for this copy.
tashrow's review
5.0
This German children’s book looks at one day when Max decides to take his grandfather out of the nursing home where he lives. Max packs sensibly for his adventure, makes his way to the nursing home, and even knows the code to let them leave without setting off an alarm. Another resident from the nursing home joins them on their bus trip out to the countryside to Blossom Valley, the place where Max’s grandfather had proposed to his grandmother. The three of them spend the afternoon there in the tall grass of the meadow, dancing sometimes, laughing others and just being together. When Max’s grandfather starts to forget what is happening, Max hugs him tight and his memory comes back again. Eventually the police and caregivers and Max’s mother find them, but not until they have had a lovely day in a very special place.
Translated from the original German, this book’s writing is exceptional. I started out highlighting all of the lovely poetic moments and found myself drawn to page after page of text. Steinhofel speaks to the way that longing fills your entire body, too big for just your heart to contain it. He writes of a grandfather who hums, the noise lifting from his body. He writes of the moon, always there during the day but sometimes not able to be seen. Then he beautifully ties that image to the relationship of a grandfather with dementia and the grandson he loves.
There is nothing held back in the writing. It is completely heartfelt and emotional. Each moment they spend together is special and filled with a momentous feeling. The illustrations have a childlike quality to them at times. They burst from the page, showing the moon above, the bright sunniness of the meadow, the green of the grass and the trees. There is a leaping, dancing movement to them that is particularly suited to the subject.
A book that lingers with you, fills you up and that you want to hold onto. Appropriate for ages 7-10.
Translated from the original German, this book’s writing is exceptional. I started out highlighting all of the lovely poetic moments and found myself drawn to page after page of text. Steinhofel speaks to the way that longing fills your entire body, too big for just your heart to contain it. He writes of a grandfather who hums, the noise lifting from his body. He writes of the moon, always there during the day but sometimes not able to be seen. Then he beautifully ties that image to the relationship of a grandfather with dementia and the grandson he loves.
There is nothing held back in the writing. It is completely heartfelt and emotional. Each moment they spend together is special and filled with a momentous feeling. The illustrations have a childlike quality to them at times. They burst from the page, showing the moon above, the bright sunniness of the meadow, the green of the grass and the trees. There is a leaping, dancing movement to them that is particularly suited to the subject.
A book that lingers with you, fills you up and that you want to hold onto. Appropriate for ages 7-10.
pagesfullofstars's review
4.0
"You can't always see the moon, but you know it's always there. Right?"
If My Moon Was Your Sun is a delightful, yet bittersweet story about the relationship between a young boy and his grandfather. Max likes to visit his grandfather in the nursing home, but he misses the times when they could freely spend time together. So one day, insteady of going to school, Max sneaks his grandfather out on a trip to the Blossom Valley, where his grandparents used to go.
Max and his grandfather's story is a wonderful tale, full of humour and beautiful, vivid illustrations. Despite being light in tone, it touches upon some serious topics, such as aging and dementia, and can be a great way to start a discussion with children, especially as it's all seen from a child's perspective. Their relationship was really touching, and described in a very emotional way. Each passage of a book is also accompanied by a piece of classical music, that enhances the story even more.
Overall, I would recommend If My Moon Was Your Sun to both young and older readers. Reflecting on the grandparents - grandchildren relationship and the power of love, even if it can't always be seen, it's a wonderful story that will surely touch all of its readers.
Thank you to Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and Netgalley for kindly proving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If My Moon Was Your Sun is a delightful, yet bittersweet story about the relationship between a young boy and his grandfather. Max likes to visit his grandfather in the nursing home, but he misses the times when they could freely spend time together. So one day, insteady of going to school, Max sneaks his grandfather out on a trip to the Blossom Valley, where his grandparents used to go.
Max and his grandfather's story is a wonderful tale, full of humour and beautiful, vivid illustrations. Despite being light in tone, it touches upon some serious topics, such as aging and dementia, and can be a great way to start a discussion with children, especially as it's all seen from a child's perspective. Their relationship was really touching, and described in a very emotional way. Each passage of a book is also accompanied by a piece of classical music, that enhances the story even more.
Overall, I would recommend If My Moon Was Your Sun to both young and older readers. Reflecting on the grandparents - grandchildren relationship and the power of love, even if it can't always be seen, it's a wonderful story that will surely touch all of its readers.
Thank you to Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and Netgalley for kindly proving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
doyoudogear's review
3.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
If My Moon Was Your Sun made me feel both sad and hopeful. Max loves his grandfather, and they've always been close, but now he's in a nursing home across town. His grandfather has dementia, so it wasn't enough to just occasionally check on him at home. He needed constant care that Max and his mother couldn't provide.
One day, Max decides to take his grandfather away from the nursing home, an adultnapping of sorts, so he can spend the day in a place that was familiar and meaningful. While I'm not entirely sure I believe the logistics of this story, it was sweet and enjoyable. A few of their conversations seemed random at the time, but they did come together at the end. I wish the story had flowed a little better, but instead it felt choppy and scattered.
Despite having a few issues, it was a lovely story overall.
Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on August 9, 2018.
If My Moon Was Your Sun made me feel both sad and hopeful. Max loves his grandfather, and they've always been close, but now he's in a nursing home across town. His grandfather has dementia, so it wasn't enough to just occasionally check on him at home. He needed constant care that Max and his mother couldn't provide.
One day, Max decides to take his grandfather away from the nursing home, an adultnapping of sorts, so he can spend the day in a place that was familiar and meaningful. While I'm not entirely sure I believe the logistics of this story, it was sweet and enjoyable. A few of their conversations seemed random at the time, but they did come together at the end. I wish the story had flowed a little better, but instead it felt choppy and scattered.
Despite having a few issues, it was a lovely story overall.
Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on August 9, 2018.
lucyp747d4's review
5.0
This book tells the story of Max, a little boy, whose grandfather has dementia. One day Max decides to kidnap his grandfather from his nursing home and take him on an adventure. This is a very touching story and shows the special bond between children and their grandparents. I felt myself tearing up a little when reading this as I have had family members who suffered with dementia and to see the way Max saw his grandfather’s illness was so sweet.
The fact that this author has included classical music as well is such a great idea. Most children don’t listen to enough classical music and with the beautiful illustrations there will be plenty to engage the child whilst reading.
The fact that this author has included classical music as well is such a great idea. Most children don’t listen to enough classical music and with the beautiful illustrations there will be plenty to engage the child whilst reading.
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