Eleanor's Moon is a heartfelt story of family love, moving away and missing one another. Eleanor and her grandfather have a wonderful bond shared over the moon. She was born under a Harvest Moon and her grandfather promised her that no matter what, they would always share the moon. Over the years he taught her about all the phases, they played games and even went out for Halloween dressed as the moon and a star. When her mother gets a new job, they move away, and Eleanor is heartbroken. She misses her grandfather terribly, but eventually they begin to heal through letters to one another. The book ends on a wonderful note that brought tears to my eyes.

This is such a beautiful story about loving one another no matter the distance. Eleanor and her grandfather have such a wonderful relationship and bond, that I could feel their pain when she moved away. When I read this to my grandchildren, they talked about how much they missed grandpa, who is living far away in heaven. It was all I could do not to break into tears. The illustrations were very simple, but fit this story perfectly. Another wonderful multi-generational story about the simple love shared by a child and their grandparent.

*Heartwarming book about love between a grandpa and his granddaughter
*Loved the illustrations! -impressionist painting with more details
*Mostly pictures with a few words
*Teaches facts about the moon
*Perfect for a young reader

Thank you to NetGalley and Owlkids Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Eleanor's Moon is a beautifully written story about a young girl and her grandpa. They have a special relationship, and love each other very much! They share a love of the moon, it's something they bond over throughout the years of Eleanor's childhood.

When Eleanor's mom gets a job in the city and she has to move away from her grandpa, she is sad because she misses him. The two of them realize that they still share the moon, and when they look out at night, they are still connected. ❤️

This is a beautiful story of connection and love, even when you aren't physically close to the people you care about. I love the illustrations, as they have the feeling and texture of a painting. Heartfelt message, gorgeous pictures, moving story. Wonderful addition to your home or school library!

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advanced review copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review on the book!

Very sweet story of a grandfather and granddaughter relationship. The art was pretty and I liked the moon connecting them together.

In a Nutshell: Has some engaging moments but feels a bit lacking.

Story Synopsis:
Eleanor’s grandpa has shared a bond with her right since the day she was born under a harvest moon. The moon has watched over their relationship, and as the years go by, Eleanor learns plenty of moon-related facts from her grandfather. However, when her mother gets transferred to another city, Eleanor is worried that she and her grandpa will be as far as apart as the earth and the moon. But with the help of technology and letters, they keep in touch. And of course, the moon is still with them in both their locations.


At its heart, this is a beautiful story, touching upon the loving relationship between a grandfather and his granddaughter. I loved the way they bonded over their shared passion for the moon, and how the moon kept them feeling close to each other even after they were physically apart. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of letters as a way of keeping in touch, a habit that the younger generation has evolved out of, thanks to instant messaging.

There were so many opportunities for the book to elevate the story, but it touches upon the points at just a superficial level. I thought that it might raise the topic of the death of a loved one, or the emotional aftermath of separation, or of moving to another city leaving extended family and friends behind. But none of these were explored.

There are a couple of difficult words such as ‘crescent’ and ‘sliver’ in the text. The very first page has a mention of ‘harvest moon’, but this isn’t explained. If an unusual term is used in picture books, I think the text must incorporate its meaning (directly or indirectly) so that independent young readers know the relevance of that word/phrase. All explanations can’t be left to the adults who are reading the story aloud to little ones.

The illustrations, sketched by the author herself, are beautiful, with the watercolour style art matching the poignancy of the text. However, I do wish we could have seen the facial expressions better.

All in all, the content is definitely good, and I liked it enough, but it could have done far more and far better. In terms of language and approach, the book ought to work for readers aged 5-7 years.

3.25 stars.


My thanks to Owlkids Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “Eleanor’s Moon”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

"No matter where I am, we will always share the moon."

Eleanor and her grandfather love the moon, and they've spent many happy hours together observing that celestial orb in its many phases. Even though they eventually become separated by miles, one glance at the sky can trigger memories, and make them feel closer again.

This is a somewhat melancholy, though lovely read, especially for someone who's missing a loved one.

A beautiful sentimental story that will be loved by kids and likely bring a tear to the eye of most adult readers. Beautiful and sweet with darling illustrations this book makes a great addition to any child’s book collection.

This is a really sweet book about the relationship between young girl and her grandfather. They bond over a love of the moon and use that connection to maintain their relationship when Eleanor moves away and distance comes between them. Sweet and simple illustrations complement the gentle story.

I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
Beautifully illustrated story of a young girl, Eleanor, and the special relationship she has with her grandfather. The two bonded at her birth and her grandfather taught her all about the moon. Together, they watched in many times. One day, her mom got a job far away and Eleanor was devastated to leave her grandfather. He assured her they would still see the same moon. Each found ways to feel close to the other as the story progressed.
Tender story about family and staying connected to each other. Terrific to read together in any situations where grandparents are not nearby.

Eleanor’s Moon is a touching story about a bond greater than distance. Eleanor and her grandpa have always shared the moon as a special connection. When Eleanor has to move far away from her grandpa, it is the moon that holds them together, proving that there will never be any space between them. Eleanor learns to understand that her grandpa is always with her as long as the moon continues to rise in the night sky. A short story with detailed illustrations, Eleanor’s Moon will be sure to touch the hearts of children and adults alike.

I absolutely fell in love with Eleanor's Moon by Maggie Knaus! It is the sweetest story about a grandpa and his granddaughter and their connection to each other through the moon.

This book made me feel all the feels, and the illustrations are breathtaking! It is a must have for all granddaughters who share a special connection to their grandfathers. 💛

Thank you OwlKids Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am going to tell you this is a tear-jerker for me.

Eleanor's Moon is the reality that a lot of children face, having a special relationship with a grandparent and then having to move away and this distance being painful.

In Eleanor's Moon it is dealt with in such a heartwarming way. The author Maggie Knaus use the moon as a metaphor but a constant that their love for each other is always there and they'll always be looking at the same moon to hold their bond and that it will never break. The author uses the story to teach children about moon phases also which was a beautiful surprise. Also, Maggie Knaus is the author and illustrator and illustrates the waning crescents, waxing crescents, and of course, the harvest moon when Eleanor was born.

"Grandpa was the moon to Eleanor's north star" was visible after I wiped my tears from feeling the pain of both of them not being able to see each other. I think this beautiful book could open up a needed conversation for children in how they miss their grandparents and also to let them know they are not alone in this feeling.

This is also a debut book for Maggie Knaus and I hope to read more from her. She had me at hello with the cover.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher OwlKids Books for this opportunity to read Eleanor's Moon even though it made me cry.

This simple but heartfelt about a child and their grandfather warmed my heart, and the illustrations were pleasing to the eye. I was drawn to the colors on the cover, the pinks, purples, and blues, and found the story to be sweet.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review—a beautiful picture book about a little girl and the connection between her grandfather and the moon.

A sweet picture book about moving away from someone you love. There wasn't too much to it, and I do wish it had been a little longer (which rarely happens), but I would've loved to see more on how Eleanor adjusts to being away from her grandfather that was beyond the few activities she would do to stifle her missing.

What a heartwarming book about a girl, her grandfather, and the moon. After Eleanor is born under the harvest moon, her grandfather says, “No matter where I am, we will always share the moon.” As Eleanor grows older they see many moons, and she learns of different moons from her grandfather. When Eleanor’s family moves away, she is sad and thinking of the moon makes her miss her grandpa even more, but she knows when they each see the moon they will always be thinking of each other.

When Eleanor was born there was a harvest moon bright in the sky,Her grandfather held her up to the moon and told her no matter where he is they will always share the moon. As she grew they saw the various stages of the moon. They even dressed up as the moon and north star for Halloween. Then one day the family moved to a new city. They had to say good bye to grandpa. She put a moon shaped nightlight above her bed in her new room. She saw moon shapes everywhere she looked and she missed her grandpa even more. They found ways to stay in touch. Eleanor send Grandpa letters and pictures with the moon on them, He used moon stamps to write her back. They each would look at the moon where they were and tell each other that they loved them.

What a mood to read about the moon and its mystical power to connect people. I loved the way the color of the illustrations worked together in this book. It’s beautiful! A grandpa and his granddaughter and their shared love of the moon — it keeps them bonded no matter the distance.