If My Moon Was Your Sun

This was a sweet story with beautiful illustrations and an even more beautiful message.

I am a big fan of family stories, especially those with close grandparent relationships, so I knew this had the potential to be a winner for me. While I did feel some of the expressions were not as “kid-friendly” as the typical children’s book, the writing was somehow both poetic and concise. I think this would make the book appealing as both a read aloud and a story a child could read on their own.

I read this in ebook format, so I look forward to getting a hard copy with the accompanying CD. I think that will make the story even more powerful as I share it with my own kids.

Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is one of those books your read to your child (or class) so they become more emotionally intelligent, while you, the adult, choke back tears. This book was touching because of the idea of a young boy loving his grandfather so deeply, but also in the way the character's voice was so distinctly 10 years old. Max is in that perfect stage between misunderstanding the way adults act because of his childishness and understanding the same scenarios more profoundly than even the adults. He was the perfect character to portray such a sweet story of love for someone he knows, deep down, isn't going to be around forever.

It's a longer book and would work well for teaching making inferences, voice, plot structure, and a few other elements. It's likely a story to which upper elementary to middle grade students might relate.

Such a poignant story of a young boy who is very close to his grandfather. When his grandfather is put in a nursing home because he can no longer take care of himself, the boy helps him and another elderly woman escape for a day. The illustrations were so sweet. This book would make a great read for a child who's favorite grandparent is in a nursing home battling dementia. It can help them understand the age process for that person.

Such a sweet and moving children's book!

Max is anxious about his grandfather's dementia causing him to forget him so he kidnaps him for a day. I feel like it addresses real life hardships in a way that is more understandable for children and I am a sucker for books with a close grandparent/grandchild relationship since I have always been extremely close to mine.

Beautiful story!!

🌙 🌞 🌙 🌞 🌙

IF MY MOON WAS YOUR SON is such a moving story about the touching relationship between grandchildren and their grandparents and impact of dementia. In this poignant tale, Max kidnaps his grandfather from a nursing home, where he is being cared for because he has dementia. Max skips school to save his grandpa, on what he hopes will be their best day ever. But soon everyone in this small town is in pursuit of them and spindly Miss Schneider, who slips out with them. Features beautiful full-color illustrations and a read-along CD audiobook with twelve classical pieces for children by Georges Bizet and Sergei Prokofiev. Also has an intriguing segment between the author and illustrator on their creative process for developing the story. Highly highly recommended!

Thanks to Plough Publishing House and NetGalley for the review copy, in exchange for my honest opinions.

#IfMyMoonWasYourSun #NetGalley

This is a bittersweet book that deals with important subjects (ageing grandparents, dementia, and coping with a nursing home) without making the topics too heavy for younger readers. I found the grandfather’s character was written beautifully.

What's remarkable is that author Andreas Steinhöfel's book was originally in German, but it translates so well (I believe the author himself did the translation).

If My Moon Was Your Sun would definitely work better in paper form, as there are plenty of illustrations. Additionally, there’s music to accompany the scenes.

When I was growing up, there was a very strict rule in our house about not touching the record player (get away from that hi-fi you girls!!), and even more important was not touching the albums themselves. So when a children's record player -- and a real one at that, it wasn't that silly Fisher Price glorified music box thing -- was added to our playroom, my sister and I were thrilled to finally be able to manage our own soundtrack to life.

As it turns out, there weren't really that many records made available to us (it would be several years before I was able to convince the powers that be that we should definitely be taking advantage of the fine offerings available at Columbia House), so with the exception of "Free To Be You and Me" and "Honey On Toast", the majority of our collection was made up of read-along books.

I hadn't thought about those books for many years until I read this book by Andreas Steinhöfel. If My Moon Was Your Sun comes with a CD audiobook of the story. Much like most of the read-along books I had as a child, this one includes classical musical interludes at various points throughout the story. Illustrator Nele Palmtag took inspiration from the music of Georges Bizet and Sergei Prokofiev and her illustrations fill the space during which the music plays.

The story itself is fun but bittersweet: a boy named Max liberates his grandfather from the nursing home for the day to travel to a field of memories. As they leave, Miss Schneider, another resident of the nursing home, slips out with them and the trio are off on an adventure. This is a touching look at how dementia can affect a family, especially that bond between grandparents and grandchildren.

Thank you to NetGalley and Plough Publishing for providing me with a DRC of this book.

What a sweet, book about a heartbreaking subject! This author has done a wonderful job of putting the subject of a beloved family member losing their memory and how it effects a child who is close to them.
It is handled with grace, sensitivity and even a bit of comedy (which kids relate so well to).
Bravo!

The illustrations were charming and colorful but just muted enough to fit the tone of the story perfectly!

I do wish I could have gotten the full experience with the music cd that goes along with the story. But even without it it was a great read!

I received this e-book from the Publisher via Net Galley for my honest opinion and review, which I have given here.

Max is a 10 year old boy dealing with the worry that accompanies his grandfather's deteriorating memory. On a seemingly normal day, Max "kidnaps" his grandfather and another elderly woman from their retirement home and set off on an adventure. During the adventure, he learns an important lesson about life and loss.

This book covers the all too real topic of Alzheimer's and the worry that children or family members have during this time. Steinhöfel's often lyrical descriptions of the characters help readers connect with their situation and genuinely sympathize for Max and anyone who may be going through similar situations. Although some students in elementary/primary grades may be too young to grasp this concept, this would be a great book to read aloud to older students. As Max deals with his fears surrounding his grandfather, he learns an important lesson that all children could benefit from learning.

Additionally, I love that the book was sold with an accompaniment of music and enjoyed the sample provided. The musical selections enhance the story by setting the mood/tone and allowing readers to become even more immersed in the story.

If My Moon Was Your Sun By Andreas Stienhofel

Once in a while a book comes to you when you need it. I have found that out throughout life. You don't search it just appears. This is one of those books. This is the story of Max and his Grandpa who has dementia. Max wants to have one more day with him before the "Great Forgetting" comes. Little does he know during the great escape another patient Miss Schneider will escape with them from the nursing home. This is a warm, loving story of selflessness. It is a great way to introduce dementia to a child. Nice pencil coloring illustrations by Nele Palmtag are a bonus to this book. This book was originally written in Germany.

A sweet story of Max who's Grandfather recently was moved into a nursing home due to dementia. Max is sad that he can't see is Grandfather as much any more because the home is on the other side of town so he hatches a plan to break him out.

A great topic that should be written about more often to help children with the changes that happen during old age. Beautiful and funny at times. I did think that the words were a little grown up for the lower grades.

This is a sweet story about a little boy who takes his beloved grandfather (and another nursing home patient) out for the day without permission. It handles the topics of aging, dementia, and the love between grandparents and grandchildren very well. I think there could have been another scene at the end between Max and his grandfather. The whole story would actually make a good adult novel as well.

An excellent book about Max and his love for his grandfather. Max's grandfather lives in a Nursing Home. Max worries that someday his grandpa will not remember him. I like how his grandfather uses the example of the moon, that you can't always see it but you know that it's there. I love the illustrations! So pretty! This book has great humor. I love the adventure Max takes with his grandfather and Miss Schneider. I love Max's experience at a Nursing Home when he goes there to visit his grandfather. Thank you NetGalley and Plough Publishing for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

If My Moon was Your Sun is a great book to use with the kids in your life to help them understand an elderly family member's dementia. I think kids of all ages can relate to this story, whether they are grandkids trying grasp what is going on or children of those afflicted in their adult years. Who wouldn't want to try and break their loved ones out of the nursing home in hopes of keeping their spirit alive?

As I only read this thanks to an ARC from Netgalley, I didn't get to experience the accompanying record. I bet it's fantastic, though.

If My Moon Was Your Sun is a beautiful story about a boy who spends the day with his grandfather.

The illustrations by Nele Palmtag are beautiful and amazing. The simplicity behind them really shows the raw emotion behind the story itself.

This was a sweet story about a boy who loves his grandfather so much that one day, he decides to escape with him from the retirement home and take the bus to his favorite place, the beautiful Blossom Valley, where he first kissed and proposed to his wife. Accompanied by Miss Schneider, a dance teacher, they will have a formidable adventure of a day, sometimes fighting against alzheimer and dementia, but mostly enjoying the pleasure of lying down in the grass, before going back home safely, their mind and their hearts full of treasured memories.

This was a full children's story translated form German, illustrated with very colorful, warm, and funny drawings.

It is beautiful story about the special relationship between grandfather with dementia and his grandchild, Very touching.
Thank you Netgalley for this copy.

A very touching story about a grandchild and his grandpa that suffer from dementia. I rarely read a book that has grandchild and grandparents relationship. This one is special to me. It made me think of my grandpa back home :') I would love to get myself the physical copy. Thank you for the copy Net Galley!

This book is so beautiful! The artwork is whimsy and comforting and the message itself was so touching. It is important to have books like these, that talk about difficult parts of life like aging and forgetting. They make it easier to get through the hard times in life and give us an outlet to express our feelings, through someone else's story. I loved this and look forward to hearing the CD with the hard copy.

In one word: touching! For me, it's right up there with And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman and Grandpa's Great Escape by David Walliams.

Ein wunderschönes Kinderbuch. Tiefgehend und berührend. Greift das wichtige Thema Demenz auf und macht es für Kinder verständlich.

A wonderful mix of sweetness and sadness - if I had to use just one phrase to describe this book, that would be it..
The obvious love that Max and hid grandfather share is visible throughout the book. Grandfather is losing his memory he keeps having the Great Forgetting. He is now in a nursing home due to the care he needs. Max misses his grandfather and wants to spend time with him, like he used to when grandpa was better He worries that grandfather will not remember the love Max has for him.
Reading about the Great Forgetting did get me all teary-eyed as I recalled episodes of my dad's forgetfulness when he was recovering from a major brain surgery years ago; and then again, a few months earlier, just before he passed way, when he was fighting cancer.
So, one day, he plans a cool escape from the nursing home. The two of them make a trip to grandpa's special 'Happy Place' accompanied by Mrs.Schneider (who is another resident at the nursing home). Oh what a wonderful time they have, in spite of the Great Forgetting that keeps visiting grandfather.
I truly loved the illustrations in this book - the colors, the emotions of the characters portrayed so well, and the style used as well. They lend that perfect accompaniment to this sweet, sad, hopeful, emotional story.

In Summary: A wonderful book for kids (and adults) 8 and older who can understand and work through the emotions and issues mentioned in this book.
I hope to look for the physical copy of the book soon as it also includes a CD which, based on other reviews, is simply beautiful to listen to as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC. This review is long overdue and totally my honest opinions of this book.

This book is such an endearing book that highlights how hard it is for a child to deal with a grandparent losing their memory due to dementia or old-age.

Max wants to take one last outing with his grandfather. His grandfather is in a nursing home because he has dementia, so he often forgets people and things. Max calls this the "great forgetting". Max decides to break his grandpa out of the nursing home so that they can visit a special place together. Along the way, Miss Schneider (an old dance instructor) breaks out, too. They really enjoy their time together in a meadow that is special to them. The police, caregivers, and Max's mom all find him there. A really funny chase scene ensues and then afterwards the security at the nursing home is tightened and Max gets in trouble. He decides it was worth it (not a great lesson, really) and cherishes the memory of his grandfather.

The art and illustrations in this book are beautiful and you could really feel the fear and sadness Max goes through when his grandfather forgets. This book details so beautifully how complex relationships are. I highly recommend this book!


I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I have posted this review on Goodreads and Twitter.

The author penned a heartwarming story of a young boy's love for his grandfather. Wonderful illustrations spewed life to a captivating storyline. Simple yet touching, it was a tale that transported me back into another world - a place and time easily forgotten.

I offer my gratitude to NetGalley and Plough Publishing House for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

If My Moon Was Your Sun is a beautifully illustrated book about a boy named Max who loves his grandfather very much. Max's grandfather has Alzheimer's or Dementia and commonly forgets things. Unsurprisingly, Max is worried his grandfather will forget about him. He's scared of losing him. The book takes the two on a grand adventure where Max gets to spend a powerful last moment of freedom with his grandfather. The story was sweet, insightful, and thought provoking. I will absolutely read this book to my children and recommend it wholeheartedly.