The Sun and the Moon

By: Brian D. McClure
Publisher: Universal Flag Publishing
Publication Date: February 2006
ISBN: 978-1933426099
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: February 2010

One day the sun, who just happened to be inexplicably moody, called the moon a jerk and told him that his "reflected light [wasn't] useful to anyone." The moon, needless to say, was very upset with the unfair name calling and started in with a few unmentionable jabs at the sun. The skies began to darken and "the sky went black in the snap of a finger, not one trace of light was able to linger." While the argument raged, the planet's temperature began to drop and everything began to freeze.

The crops began to shrivel and a quick freeze made the otter and the butterfly take on a mystical glazed look as they froze in place. The nonsensical argument between the sun and the moon was affecting every living thing on Earth because "for them it was impossible to see anything clear, the only thing they focused on was all of their fear." People are sometimes able to confront their fears and discuss their anger with each other, but the duo continued their fight. In the deep, now blackened skies, they continued to scowl at one another until suddenly their faces began to reflect their inner sadness. Why had they decided to fight over something silly? Was there any way they could remedy the situation?

This pensive book will make young and old think about how we all are interconnected and dependent on one another. The rhyming sequence in this book is good, but is not set up in stanza format. It can be described as more conversational than anything else. This story does come off a bit preachy at times, but I believe the intent is to let us know the importance of cooperation and love for one each other. From the Universal Flag website, referred to in this book, are five principles that I feel this book is trying to express:

* You are One with all
* You are Divine presence
* You are Eternal
* You are Truth
* You are Interdependent on all

The vibrant artwork meshes quite well with this tale and expertly catches the varying moods of the sun and the moon. There is a prayer in the back of the book. This is not a book intended for the young reader, but rather would be an excellent read and discuss book for the 9 to 12-year-old set. This was an unusual book, but I did come away liking it.

Quill says: This is not a lighthearted storybook, but rather a thoughtful one with a serious message to impart to its readership.