- Author: Frank Asch
- Illustrator: Frank Asch
- Year Published: 1978
- ISBN: 0684158108
Science Topics
Minimum Suggested Grade Level
Maximum Suggested Grade Level
Summary
Bear was worried about the moon because it was growing smaller and smaller each night. He was afraid it would get so small that it would disappear forever. Bear loved the moon and wanted to help it.Evaluation
- Appropriateness: Medium
- Authority: Medium
- Accuracy: Medium
- Liteary Artistry: Medium
- Appearance: Medium
Questions
Does the book foster development of processes?
I do not really think it does. The book, Moon bear does not really foster the development of processes, but it is a bit interesting for the students and can raise some questions as to why the moon changes. The next part could be making observations in real life and trying to come up with some ideas.Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?
I guess the students can ask “how the moon changes or why it appears or disappears”. The book however, does not really explain why or how this happens. The students can get the idea throughout the book though that there is a pattern and that the moon often goes through different phases.Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?
The story does not really encourage independent thinking. The students can question, but the story does not offer for higher in-depth, thinking. I think it might be a good start for younger grades and build on the idea of different phases from the moon.Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?
I think it might be if the lesson was on the different phases of the moon. Students look at the book and the different pictures. They can then relate some of the knowledge to real would examples. Although distance and color is off, students can still tell that the illustrations represent the moon and its phases. It seems that it can be appropriate to the lesson.Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?
The book is a little accurate in the way the moon goes through its phases in the sky. There are some parts however, that are a bit off, such as distance, size, and color. There is also the fact that the animals are talking and walking upright.Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?
Towards the end of the book it is proven that the moon does not get bigger or smaller because it is hungry. The book does lean towards more the fictional side with its storytelling. While reading the book, the reader accepts the idea of talking animals that stand on their hind legs and live/work in man-made buildings. The colors and background also set the story in a place that is outside of real life.Are the illustrations clear and accurate?
The illustrations focus more on design/ pattern such as stippling, hatching/ cross hatching, woven pattern for the background. The illustrator also chose bolder colors to separate the focus points (main characters, moon, and stars) from the background. Therefore the colors and design of the characters, moon and stars are not very accurate. This also includes the distance of the moon from the ground.Is the book written at the level of your students?
- It seems that the book could go either way for some of my students. This would be a good story for some of my more struggling readers. Part of the text is somewhat bigger but not completely overwhelming. I think it might be too easy for my more up to level readers.
- I think the book might work well for beginning 2nd graders or later in the year 1st graders. The vocabulary is not very big and the story is short.