The Moon Ring [Hardcover]

Randy Duburke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002 | Grade Level: P and up

In the light of a blue moon, the second full moon in a month, Maxine discovers something amazing in the grass: a magical moon ring! Ahead lies a night of adventure beyond anything Maxine could have imagined, as she is whisked around the globe, from the ice floes of Antarctica to the sunbaked African savannah to the neon lights of New York City. Is it all just a dream? Only Maxine and her grandmother know for sure. Playful illustrations make this exciting adventure story one that children will ask for over and over again!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There's a blue moon ("second full moon in a month") in the sky on a hot summer night, and "magic loves blue-moon light," Maxine's grandmother tells her. Sure enough, a ring of silver (the ring and the moon appear in metallic paint on the page) falls from the sky and carries Maxine off to exotic locales: a polar penguin hangout, a sun-drenched savanna (where a giraffe becomes her trusty, if somewhat unsteady, steed) and even New York City. Then, with a final "Whoosh!" Maxine finds herself safely back in the reality of her home only, what are that giraffe, seal and penguin doing in Maxine's backyard? The episodes at times seem like snapshots cobbled together, while the text offers little more than obvious descriptions of the pictures' action. But veteran editorial illustrator DuBurke's artwork makes up for the narrative's awkward pacing. His illustrations, rendered in pen, ink and acrylic, feel as magical as Maxine's lunar ring. With an offbeat aesthetic that combines an almost photographic realism with cartoon exaggeration, DuBurke's full-bleed spreads and framed panels exude a giddy energy. Maxine, with her infectious, authentic enthusiasm, communicated via lanky limbs and an expressive face, takes her wild adventures in stride. Ages 4-8
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-On the cover of this story of a magical trip, a pleased-looking African-American girl relaxes in the curve of a metallic silver moon above the skyline of New York City placed, surprisingly, behind a herd of running giraffes. As the story begins, Maxine, who sports short overalls and purple goggles, is resting with her grandmother on the porch after a hot day when they notice that there is a blue moon, a sure sign of magic. A silver ring falls from it and grants Maxine wishes, which she uses to travel to the Antarctic, the African savanna, Manhattan, and home again. The story alone is a typical, childlike, wish-fulfillment sequence, but the illustrations make it special, for DuBurke is a master of pose and expression. The word "adorable" comes to mind when looking at Maxine's penguin walk and walrus ride; and the tiny silhouette of giraffe and girl on the Empire State Building in front of the silver moon is a charmer. Most unusual and appealing are the juxtaposition of realistic human bodies and faces with flat, cartoony clothes, settings, and animals. The story is really just a vehicle for the art, but these are impressive illustrations.
Ellen Heath, Orchard School, Ridgewood, NJ
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811834875
• ISBN-13: 978-0811834872
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,008,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars The Moon Ring, April 24, 2007

By 

Kelly A. Schmitt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Moon Ring (Hardcover)

The Moon Ring written and illustrated by Randy DuBurke is an African American fiction story book. It is set on the hottest night in summer during a blue moon, the second full moon in a month which rarely occurs. Maxine and her Grandmother are sitting on the porch where Grandma is telling Maxine about magic that occurs during a blue moon. All of a sudden a sparkling, silver glowing ring drops from the sky. Maxine decides it must be magic and makes a wish. She has four wishes and each time she makes a wish she goes on an adventure to a new place. The illustrations are vivid and appear realistic making each page pop out of the paper.