Moonpowder [Hardcover]

John Rocco (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: May 27, 2008 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years

Young Eli Trebuckle is the “fixer of all things fixable.” He fixes the vacuum cleaner, the fan, and even the radio, hoping to catch some news of his father who is away at war. But there’s one thing that Eli simply can’t fix—his bad dreams. It’s the same one over and over again: a mountain of junk, a prize just beyond his reach, and a fall.

One night as Eli stays up late to work on his most recent invention and escape another nightmare, a mysterious, luminous, and somewhat bumbling man by the name of Mr. Moon appears at his window. He knows just what the matter with Eli is and promises to help him, if he can fix one more thing…

And so Eli Trebuckle makes the journey to the broken Moonpowder factory. If he can get it up and running, he can ensure that the whole world will have sweet dreams! But can Eli face his greatest fears and meet the biggest challenge of his lifetime? With inspiring courage, determination, and a little faith, Eli proves that, happily, the answer is yes.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Young Eli, a Mr. Fix-It,  stays up late tinkering so he won’t have any more bad dreams. One night, a huge, golden, pock-marked moon sticks its head in the window and proclaims the problem is Moonpowder. Eli isn’t getting enough of the magical marvel, which brings sweet dreams. The factory has been on the blink lately, and Mr. Moon thinks Eli can fix it. Eli’s foray to the factory in his helio-rocket-copter provides ample opportunity for Rocco’s fabulous artwork. His inventive paintings, done in deep, rich colors of night and tinged with gold, are used in spreads, panels, and full pages. The mechanical “gizbots” inside the factory, adjusting valves and dials, along with the intricate hand drawings of the factory’s inner workings, will keep children, especially the mechanically inclined, totally fascinated. Although the story may not have quite as much magic as the artwork, the ending, which brings Eli’s soldier father home, is sweet and satisfying. This will sustain many readings. Preschool-Grade 1. --Ilene Cooper

About the Author

John Rocco is the author and illustrator of Wolf! Wolf! and the illustrator of Alice, by Whoopi Goldberg. He earned his degrees from RISD and The School of the Visual Arts and worked for several years in L.A on such projects as Shrek (as Pre-Production Art Director) and at the Disneyquest theme park. He was the winner of the SCBWI New York Showcase in 2004 and again in 2007. John now lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; First Edition edition (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423100115
• ISBN-13: 978-1423100119
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 0.5 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #320,943 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I love books. The fact that I get to make books for a living still thrills me everyday. I write and illustrate picture books for children as well as illustrate books for older readers.
I didn't always make books. Before embarking on full time work as an author/illustrator I worked as an art director in the entertainment business. Movies, television, theme parks and museums were my canvas. It was great work and I enjoyed every minute of it, but...
Did I tell you I love books?

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids love this book July 7, 2012

By Dave TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My six year old son learned about this book when one of his teachers brought a copy to school. He instantly identified with the protagonist who is a "fixer of all things fixable." My son happens to be a "breaker of all things breakable." Okay so anyway: he loved the book so I bought a copy for him to share with his younger brother. The story and artwork are first rate. My kids want to hear this book at story time a lot. Both my kids like to take turns reading it. I highly recommend it. Ours happens to be a hardback which, while a bit large, really does good justice to the amazing illustrations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great picture book November 11, 2008

By DaddyRead.com

Format:Hardcover

A young boy loves to tinker, invent, and fix things. Unfortunately, for the past couple of months he has been having a nightmare. The main story is a fantastic adventure, but on the last page, you see the true reason for the nightmares. The pictures are amazing and creative.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Children's Book For Nightime October 3, 2008

By C. Park

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great bedtime book, being about finding a way for a boy to get his dreams back with the help of Mr. Moon. Beautifully illustrated. This is one of my favorites to read to my toddler.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful illustrator July 22, 2008

By L. Fenwick

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

John Rocco's illustrations are unique. I loved "Wolf! Wolf!" and looked forward eagerly to this new book. Although he has taken a different artistic approach, the illustrations in "Moon Powder" are just as wonderful. While I am an adult collector, I believe children would also love Rocco's unique style. Adults will appreciate the visual references to W.W. II, but kids don't need to recognize those references to enjoy young Eli's amazing adventure. The messages about childhood insecurities and determination are layered beneath a great modern tale for kids, with illustrations that just might make them ignore video images and exercise their own imaginations for awhile.

5.0 out of 5 stars great book April 12, 2013

By pirateteacher

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

My students love this book and I've bought 2 other copies for gifts. I highly recommend it. John Rocco is a wonderful storyteller. The illustrations are beautiful.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story! January 24, 2013

By Pat Smith

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Wonderful story! Used as a memorial to a local teacher and her son loved it. The children read it over and over. The illustrations draw you in and make you feel like a kid again!

5.0 out of 5 stars Favorite book for my nearly 4 year old boy October 30, 2012

By Jessica Garrison

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Moonpowder is fantastic for little boys who love to figure out how things work. So if your kiddo has a penchant for robots, conveyor belts, gears, a bit of magic, and has a great imagination, this book is for your family. The illustrations are beautiful; painterly, detailed, and have a great sense of light and real place. The style is a little 1940's and a little steam-punk. We read it out loud almost nightly to our son. The writing is fantastic and emotional, great for out loud reading and for a child to relate to. When we get to the page with the schematic of how the Moonpowder Factory works, my son explains it to me in detail. The main character, Eli Treebuckle, is a kid who is the "fixer of all things fixable." A very likable character who helps fix the factory with his know-how and by overcoming his own fears to save the world from everyone having nightmares forever! Can't say enough great things about this book. I hope it wins awards!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for kids of all ages June 22, 2010

By Ce

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I got this book at the library to read at night to my 16-month-old son. I was drawn to the beautiful Steampunk/Jules Verne-inspired illustrations. And my son got hooked on it. Of course, he can't read and probably doesn't understand the story but loves looking at Mr. Moon and the little boy and asks for me to read it to him every night. I keep getting new books at the library and he always picks Mr. Moon. I ended up purchasing it on Amazon so he can enjoy for several years to come.