Welcome to the monthly children’s book review feature with a focus on diverse books here at Bird Meets Worm! My team of reviewers and I are so excited to be championing books celebrating everything from gender diversity, people of color, the LGBTQ community to ethnic, cultural and religious minorities, people with disabilities and developmental challenges to controversial topics, unique family situations and anything and everything I did not include. It is to say we take a rightfully board view of diversity! We aim to shine a light on books that bring both familiar experiences to those who do not often see themselves represented in books and new experiences to those looking to expand their worldview. Here at Bird Meets Worm we believe in the power of story to build empathy and thus a better world for you and me and everyone. Look for a new review on the second Wednesday of every month.
A MOON FOR MOE AND MO
Written By Jane Breskin Zalben • Illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini Picture Book (ages 3-7) • 48 pages
Published by Charlesbridge. • 2018
ISBN 978-1-5808-9727-3
A Moon for Moe and Mo is an interfaith friendship story that begins with a literal meeting in the middle, when two neighborhood boys, Moses and Mohammed, from opposite ends of the same block meet in a food shop that just happens to be right between them on their block of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.
Immediately, everything the boys have in common is plain to see: their olive skin, their brown eyes, their curly hair, their loving moms, an upcoming holiday (Rosh Hashanah for Moses and Ramadan for Mohammed), celebratory treats to be made and the rambunctious, playful energy of little boys everywhere. They become friends without a thought to the one difference between them: their religions.
The vibrant, richly patterned collage illustrations will catch the reader up in this lively, delightful, life-affirming friendship story that reminds us that we all have more in common than we have differences. And beginning a friendship really can be as easy as saying, “Hello!”
Buy this book:
Barnes & Noble
Independent Bookstores
Reviewed by: Jane Smith