Dancing on the Moon [Hardcover]

Janice Roper (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Five-year old Carly is angry when her new baby brother Nigel takes her mother's attention away. With her mother's help, she grows to love her brother, But then, a sudden tragedy turns Carly's world up-side-down. In this moving, one-of-a-kind story, Carly takes action to get her brother back and in the end, realizes he's been with her all along.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

reS-Gr 3-A well-intentioned, although poorly executed book designed to help families cope with the huge sorrow of losing a baby to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Six-year-old Carly experiences confusion and sadness following the death of her baby brother. Then, in a dream, she flies to the moon and finds Nigel, who assures her that he will always be with her, which can be a powerful message of hope and comfort to a young child struggling to cope with a sibling's death. Unfortunately, the text is awkward and stilted: "To bring Nigel home,/she wanted so badly/To kiss his fat cheeks and/tickle him gladly." The singsong rhyme masks the elements of a touching story. The oil paintings that fill each spread successfully capture the little girl's emotions on many pages, although the portrayal of the infant is slightly garish on others. While flawed, this book, written out of the author's own painful experience, may fill a need not met elsewhere.

Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A charming, accessible tale about recovering from loss for young children...This fills a need in our current child literature." -- Dr. Murray Kappelman, Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, University of Maryland Baltimore

"Ms. Roper speaks eloquently to children and parents alike through her poetry." -- Evelyn K. Moore, President, National Black Child Develpment Institute, Inc.

..."guides [children] through the grieving process in a loving way. It will comfort every child in such a circumstance." -- William Ermatinger, Grief Facilitator and former Board Member of Compassionate Friends

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: S I D S Educational Services (February 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964121867
• ISBN-13: 978-0964121867
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,400,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and important book; a "must-have" for every parent, March 18, 2001

By 

Diane (Hanover, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing on the Moon (Hardcover)

This is an incredibly well-written and beautifully illustrated book. It tells the story of the journey of a young girl, whose infant brother has died. She sets off to find him, and in the end, realizes that he was always with her, in her heart. The author, Janice Roper, lost her 3 month old son to SIDS, and years later, wrote the story that she was unable to find for her daughter (Selena), to guide her through her grief. She tells the story through beautiful poetry and powerful illustrations.

I received my copy of the book this week. My daughter (almost 9) had me read it again and again. If was about the fifth time we read it, that we could read it without crying. Reading this book with my daughter was like watching someone transform before your eyes. She cried uncontrollably (she has a 6-year-old brother and obviously could relate to the main character, Carly), she talked about her feelings, and then she started focusing on the end of the book. She said the book made her feel really, really good; that when someone dies they are always with you.

Fortunately, my children have not had to suffer the loss of someone close to them. But with my grandmother and my husband's parents aging, it is inevitable. I am comforted to know my daughter experienced this book. I think it will help us through those rough days. Even as an adult, I found it very comforting.

I thank the author for sharing this story, that was born out of her own personal tradegy. By writing this book, she will help so many people. It fills a void in children's literature. It is a beautiful and important book that every parent should own.

5.0 out of 5 stars Helps the family, October 10, 2008

By 

Tina L. Campbell (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dancing on the Moon (Hardcover)

This book has helped me explain the death of my 7week old son to his 2yo sister. She likes to hear it often. It has great art work and colors that help keep a young one interested in the story.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful and profound story, November 14, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dancing on the Moon (Hardcover)

Dancing On The Moon is a wondrously illustrated color picture book showcasing the artistry of Lauren Grimm in service to a sensitive and gentle text especially written by Janice Roper for children on the subject of coping with great loss. A young girl suddenly loses her infant brother, and her parents try to help her understand that he will always be with her, in her heart. Dancing On The Moon is a powerful and profound story, and highly recommended reading - especially for boys and girls having to deal with the loss of a friend or family member.